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news digest ♦ RF Electronics


materials, providing a unique platform for top-level executives and EU representatives to exchange views and debate how to reinforce Europe’s competitiveness in the global market.


The 7th SEMI Brussels Forum will discuss how Europe’s industry and policy-makers can increase their impact - both individually and jointly to reinforce Europe’s position.


How can industry build on its leading positions and expertise and optimise synergies? How can Europe balance its values and rules on free competition on one hand, with the need to provide for a global level playing field on the other?


SEMI says this is the only event that brings together top- level management and EU representatives to exchange views on how to reinforce Europe’s competitiveness. More information can be accessed via the link www.semi. org/eu/brusselsforum.


New EU Patent Procedure Offers Automatic Protection in 25 Countries and Brings Down Costs


The new ‘EU Unitary Patent’, to be made available by April 2014, is expected to reduce the administrative and financial burden of patent protection across the EU. Companies will be able to fill out a single application to the European Patent Office. Once granted, the patent is automatically valid across 25 countries (all EU member states except for Italy and Spain). A single court will be created (Unified Patent Court) with jurisdiction over infringement proceedings in any of these countries.


Companies will no longer need to apply before each national body for their patent to have effect in that territory, nor satisfy local language and administrative requirements or pay local fees. Nor will they need to defend their patents in different jurisdictions and receive different, sometimes conflicting, rulings.


This new system is also expected to significantly bring down the costs of obtaining a patent. The European Commission estimates that today, a ‘classic’ European patent (that needs to be validated individually in 27 Member States) costs EUR (€)36 000. The new unitary patent system will bring the costs down dramatically to around €5 000, or one-seventh of today’s cost.


GaAs and InP under Review for a Possible Restriction under REACH


A recent EU study collected information on the production, import and use of 44 substances, including GaAs and InP, in articles, as a first step towards assessing the need for a possible restriction on their use in the EU. Such a restriction (under Art. 68 REACH) could have an impact not only on European


132 www.compoundsemiconductor.net June 2013 manufacturing but also on imports.


In a joint response with other industry associations, SEMI listed the applications where these compounds are used and the lack of risk to consumers when they are completely encapsulated. SEMI further highlighted the strategic importance of these compounds for micro- and nano-electronics.


Their restriction would have a negative impact not only on industry, but on Europe as a whole. It would curb the global competitiveness of the European semiconductor manufacturing supply chain and it would deprive the EU of the industry base and products Europe needs to achieve its strategic goals for the global digital market.


GaAs and InP are the first III-V compounds being examined under the REACH microscope and SEMI is actively monitoring developments. In its upcoming advocacy activities, SEMI will collect information on risk management measures the industry has in place to avoid exposure to workers and the environment – if your company can contribute, please contact gourania@semi. org.


EU RoHS Update: Exemptions are Expiring; More Substances to be Banned under RoHS


The EU RoHS directive currently bans six substances from being used in electric and electronic equipment. Certain products of SEMI members are not covered by the Directive, such as PV panels going into fixed installations, large-scale stationary industrial tools (LSIT) and large-scale fixed installations. SEMI members also benefit from exemptions to the Directive, which allow for specific uses of the banned substances in specified quantities and for a limited period of time.


• A number of exemptions for specific applications


will expire in July 2016. These exemptions can be renewed but applications for renewal need to be submitted by end of 2014. Now is therefore the time for industry to review the list of exempted applications, determine which ones are still needed and start pooling resources to draft the renewal application.


• Additional substances will be banned under


RoHS by 22nd July 2014. An EU-funded study is currently underway to develop a methodology for evaluating the risk posed by hazardous substances and to determine whether they should be banned. By the end of 2013, this study will also propose additional substances that should be restricted. The European Commission will then decide on banning these substances under RoHS, the transition periods allowed for the manufacturing supply chain to adjust and start considering necessary exemptions.


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