PCB certifications and compliance standards verify that a manufacturer’s materials, processes and quality systems meet the requirements of the target market. For medical devices, that means traceability supporting FDA submissions. For automotive, it means IATF 16949-aligned quality and PPAP documentation. For any product sold in the EU, it means RoHS compliance. AstroPCB maintains the certifications and quality systems that complex hardware projects require.

RoHS Compliance

All AstroPCB products are manufactured RoHS compliant by default. The Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive (EU 2011/65/EU, amended by 2015/863/EU) restricts six substances in electrical and electronic equipment: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB and PBDE. Two additional phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) were added in the 2015 amendment. RoHS compliance requires that every material in the PCB — laminate, copper foil, solder mask, surface finish, ink, adhesive — contains these substances below the maximum concentration limits.

Lead-free surface finishes (lead-free HASL, ENIG, ENEPIG, immersion silver, immersion tin, OSP) are standard. For applications with RoHS exemptions (certain military, aerospace and medical devices), tin-lead HASL and tin-lead assembly remain available upon request with documentation of the applicable exemption.

UL Recognition

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) recognition confirms that the PCB laminate, construction type and manufacturing process have been evaluated and found to comply with UL 796 (Standard for Printed-Wiring Boards). UL recognition is required for PCBs used in products that carry UL, cUL or ETL safety certifications. The UL file number, laminate designation and maximum operating temperature are marked on compliant boards. AstroPCB maintains UL recognition for the laminate systems and construction types in active production.

ISO 9001 Quality Management

ISO 9001 certification verifies that the quality management system covers design review, process control, inspection, testing, traceability, corrective action and continuous improvement. The quality system applies to every order — prototype and production — ensuring consistent process execution regardless of order size.

IPC Standards

IPC-6012 defines the qualification and performance specifications for rigid printed boards. Class 2 (dedicated service electronics) is the default acceptance standard. Class 3 (high-performance electronics) is specified for medical, military, automotive and aerospace applications where higher reliability is required. Class 3 imposes tighter tolerances on plating thickness, annular ring, hole wall quality, conductor integrity and laminate condition. IPC-A-600 provides the visual acceptability criteria used during inspection. AstroPCB fabricates to Class 2 by default and Class 3 on request, with inspection and documentation appropriate to each class.

Industry-Specific Compliance

Medical: manufacturing processes aligned with ISO 13485 requirements. Material traceability supporting FDA 510(k) and CE marking submissions. Lot-level documentation for Design History File and Device Master Record.

Automotive: quality processes aligned with IATF 16949. PPAP documentation packages. AEC-Q grade material qualification data. Statistical process control on critical parameters.

Aerospace/Defense: IPC-6012DS (defense/space addendum) fabrication. AS9100-aligned quality processes. Full traceability, destructive physical analysis and qualification test reports.

REACH

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, EU 1907/2006) requires disclosure of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) above 0.1% by weight. AstroPCB monitors the SVHC candidate list and provides REACH compliance declarations upon request, identifying whether any SVHCs are present in the delivered product above the reporting threshold.

Request Compliance Documentation

Specify the compliance requirements for your project during quotation. Certificates of conformance, material declarations, RoHS certificates, UL markings and inspection reports are provided with shipment as required.

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