Tool/software:
ATTENTION: This is the ONLY attempt by IBM to secure information regarding the use of the newly added SVHC(s) in deliverables supplied by your company to IBM. If no response is received, IBM interprets your silence (non-response to this letter) as an indication to IBM that no Candidate List substances, SVHC(s) nor PFAS not previously reported to IBM, are contained in your products, pursuant to your legal obligations as an IBM supplier.
Actions Required: Click on the following survey link and respond to the questionnaire pertaining to use of substances (such as the recently added SVHC(s) and PFAS) in deliverables you supply to IBM. Complete this action by no later than 20 December 2024.
Survey Link: https://cvent.me/R7XoBn
Dear Supplier,
This letter is to inform you of recent changes to the environmental regulations that may impact IBM products and, as a result, may impact your deliverables to IBM. Attached to this letter is a link to a questionnaire designed to gather the important information including any ‘no’ answers. For November 2024, the questionnaire includes:
1) Newly added Substance(s) of Very High Concern SVHC(s) added to the Candidate list by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on November 7, 2024. Link: https://echa.europa.eu/-/echa-adds-one-hazardous-chemical-to-the-candidate-list-1
- Triphenyl Phosphate (CAS #: 115-86-6) which is commonly used as a flame retardant.
2) PFAS materials in your deliverables. A reminder that the use of PFAS is triggering many reporting requirements (US State of Minnesota, Canada and the US EPA) and prohibitions (US State of Minnesota, January 1, 2032). We continue to ask suppliers to check their supply chains and report any previously unreported use of PFAS.
We use these letters, along with IBM Engineering Specification 46G3772: http://www.ibm.com/ibm/environment/products/especs.shtml, and IBM Packaging Specification 5897660: https://www.ibm.com/procurement/ossi to communicate and control the use of prohibited and reportable substances in IBM Deliverables. Please note that IBM Engineering Specification 46G3772 was updated on 11 October 2024, and IBM Packaging Specification 5897660 was last updated on 11 March 2022.
Although SVHC Candidates are not banned by the EU, they have additional reporting requirements, and may become subject to the Authorization requirement. Consequently, IBM seeks to proactively eliminate these substances from our products and packaging where possible. Suppliers should work with their IBM procurement / technical interface to assess the feasibility of eliminating any identified SVHC(s) and to develop a plan and schedule for the removal of the SVHC(s).
If you have any questions regarding these updates, please contact your IBM commodity council engineering contact (Addy Goh, spexadm@sg.ibm.com).
Please complete these actions no later than 20 December 2024.
IBM is committed to doing business with environmentally responsible suppliers and requires its suppliers to conform to all laws and IBM specifications.
Sincerely,
Walter Glogowski
IBM Global Council Chair
Mary Beth Fletcher
IBM Global Chair for Product Environmental Compliance
