Quality at FineCal
Originally certified to BS5750 in 1992, Finecal has introduced an integrated system that combines Quality, Health & Safety and Environment disciplines as one entity. This demonstrates their closeness and dependability on one another enabling simpler reviews on risks whilst maintaining full effectiveness of our processes. Since gaining AS9120 (Aerospace Distribution) at our Bristol site, it gives more reassurance to customers that FineCal continues to deliver a full and dependable service.
Click our downloadable pdf Group Quality Profile Pack Here you'll see our policies including our Ethical view, our Organisational chart, ISO certificate (ISO9001:2015) and Customer Approvals all within one document.
Our customer approvals include:-
- GKN Aerospace - Filton (inc. Airbus): QA-GKNAF000018-1
- BAE Systems: BAE/AG/20415/MAA
- Leonardo (AgustaWestland) to: V00679 03c (Electrical Accessories + Components) and 04b (Non-Metallic Raw Materials)
- Aim Aviation (Jecco) to: AA/J/466
- Airbus UK Limited
- Meggitt
- Ultra Electronics
WE ARE PROUD OF OUR AS9120:B ACHIEVEMENT - DISTRIBUTORS TO AEROSPACE.
FineCal Group is classed as a distributor and downstream user of articles (products that are manufactured from other base materials). This means that as a:-
- Distributor: we source from approved manufacturers / suppliers for our stock and direct delivery to customers. We undertake regular checks on products procured to ensure compliance by cross-referencing CAS codes as stated within product safety information.
Of course, we expect all suppliers / manufacturers to FineCal in confirming their own position on compliancy as well as controlling their own supply chains to ensure conformity throughout.
So more about RoHS and REACh…
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Product compliance to environmental legislation.
RoHS (Restriction of certain Hazardous Substances) + WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) stems from European Directives to ensure environmental procedures are followed by manufacturers, importers and supply chains especially in markets relating to automotive, electronic, electrical equipment & components. Medical devices, Monitoring & Control instruments remain exempt for now in RoHS and restricts new electrical & electronic equipment from containing specific substances such as flame retardants. If these ingredients are above fixed maximum levels, then they should not be included or sold: ideally safe alternatives should be incorporated within the manufacturing process.
- Since Brexit, RoHS falls under Gov UK OPSS which follows in the main EU requirements but there will be reviews.
Substances defined by RoHS 3 (* new additions as of 22/07/2019)
- Cadmium < 100 ppm
- Hexavalent Chromium < 1000 ppm
- Lead < 1000 ppm
- Mercury < 100 ppm
- Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBB) < 1000 ppm
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) < 1000 ppm
- Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) < 1000 ppm *
- Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) < 1000 ppm *
- Dibutyl phthalate < 1000 ppm *
- Diisobutyl phthalate < 1000 ppm *
End products covered by RoHS (non-exhaustive list) are:-
- Cat 1 / 2: Large appliances such as air-conditioners, refrigerators, stoves, washers / Small appliances; coffee makers, hair dyers, irons, vacuum cleaners
- Cat 3: IT and telecommunications equipment inc computers, copiers, phones, printers
- Cat 4: Consumer electrical equipment such as music systems, TV's etc
- Cat 5: Lighting which includes bulbs, fixtures and lights
- Cat 6: Power tools inc drills, nail guns, saws Electrical and electronic tools (not large scale stationary industrial tools)
- Cat 7: Toys & Sports incorporating drones, electric cars & trains, video games
- Cat 8: Medical devices
- Cat 9: Control & monitoring equipment
- Cat 10: Automatic Dispensers: ATM, vending machines
- Cat 11: Other electrical equipment (EEE) not mentioned above and if not exempt
RoHS & REACh continued...
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REACh (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals) addresses the production of “articles” and the possibility that they may contain chemical substances (SVHC's) which could have an impact on both human health and the environment. These substances (links to ECHA and their latest revision) are published in order that businesses are aware of their responsibilities to themselves and their customers to act with precaution as to their use and subsequent CoSHH controls in the workplace.
Post Brexit, UK REACh replaces EU REACh and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has been appointed to manage REACh. Currently there has been put in place 'grandfathering' to incorporate ECHA and bi-annual updates they announce. The latest release came into effect on 17th January 2022 and now totals 223 harmful substances.
Chemicals could potentially contain unknown risks to health because they may not have been evaluated. REACh aims to make originators / importers / suppliers who place materials / chemicals on the market responsible for controlling the risks associated with their use and handling. Reducing / eradicating SVHC's (severe hazardous chemicals) to less than 0.01% by weight is the objective. As a direct result of these restrictions, a chemical / substance essential to performance may have to be withdrawn, and if there's no viable substitute, bring about a product's withdrawal. However there may be exemptions to this due to development difficulties, and that they may be used providing safeguards under COSHH) are in place. Certainly in such instances, these are not for sale to individual members of public and / or depending on the actual weight of the product as a single unit - Article XVII.
The European Chemicals Agency in Finland manage the REACh process throughout the EU under the legislation issued by Brussels. The UK / Northern Ireland continues talks with the EU but UK REACh includes currently the same amount of SVHC's.
Please contact [email protected] if you need further advice.