Design Chain Associates (www.designchainassociates.com), a consulting firm, is now providing assistance to companies looking to switch lead-containing components with functionally similar ones that are lead-free.

"We have been asked several times recently if we could help new and existing clients identify components in existing and even new products that might have compliance issues, and guide them to replacement components or help define redesign directions," said Michael Kirschner, president. "So we've taken the step to put in place an infrastructure to enable a rapid BOM analysis and recommendation service."

RoHS identifies six materials that must be virtually eliminated from a many types of electronics products destined for the EU market after July 1, 2006. These materials include lead, hexavalent chromium, cadmium, mercury, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

Other services DCA offers include seminars, DfE and component engineering.