(SHANGHAI, CHINA, October 22, 2008) – This Friday (October 24) is the deadline for early registration for the Intel Symposium on Environmentally Friendly Materials, sponsored by iNEMI (International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative).  This meeting brings together a diverse group of organizations from within the electronics manufacturing supply chain to provide a comprehensive discussion of halogen-free* technology.  The two-day event, scheduled for November 11-12, will be held in Shanghai at the InterContinental Hotel. 
*(Halogen-free = BFRs / CFRs / PVC below 900ppm)

Representatives from Dell, Foxconn, Intel, Lenovo, Quanta, Sanmina-SCI and Wistron Corporation will discuss their companies’ strategies — and readiness — for halogen-free.  Suppliers such as Doosan, DSM Engineering Plastics, Hitachi Chemical Co., Multek, Nan Ya, SGS-CSTC and Tyco Electronics will address materials and verification concerns.

“This symposium will examine the many aspects of eliminating brominated flame retardants (BFRs), chlorinated flame retardants (CFRs) and PVC from electronic products,” said Jim McElroy, CEO of iNEMI.  “In particular, we will be looking at the impact this change will have on the electronics manufacturing supply chain with regards to material availability, cost and reliability.”

Also on the agenda are representatives from key government agencies.  Huang Jianzhong, Director of the Department of Energy Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization under MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) will talk about future eco regulations.  Xing Weibing, Deputy Chief Engineer of CESI (China Electronics Standardization Institute) will discuss the status of eco standards in PRC and efforts to cooperate with international standards bodies and domestic academia.  Finally, Melanie Vrabel, Project Manager for the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) will talk about the EPA’s partnership with industry on flame retardants in printed circuit boards.

Registration
Through October 24, the registration fee is 265 USD / 1,800 RMB.  After October 24, it is 350 USD / 2,400 RMB.  This fee can be paid by credit card or wire transfer.  For additional details about the symposium and to register, go to:
http://www.inemi.org/cms/calendar/Intel_Environmental_Materials.html

About iNEMI
The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative’s mission is to identify and close technology gaps, which includes the development and integration of the electronics industry supply infrastructure.  This industry-led consortium is made up of more than 65 manufacturers, suppliers, industry associations and consortia, government agencies and universities.  iNEMI roadmaps the needs of the electronics industry, identifies gaps in the technology infrastructure, establishes implementation projects to eliminate these gaps (both business and technical), and stimulates standards activities to speed the introduction of new technologies.  The consortium also works with government agencies, universities and other funding agencies to set priorities for future industry needs and R&D initiatives.  iNEMI is based in Herndon, Virginia (near Washington, D.C.), with regional offices in Shanghai, China and Limerick, Ireland.  For additional information about iNEMI, visit http://www.inemi.org.

For further information:
CHINA:
     Haley Fu, iNEMI
     +86 21 5835 3839
     haley.fu@inemi.org
US
     Cynthia Williams, iNEMI
     +1 207-871-1260
     cwilliams@inemi.org