IEC GUIDE 113:2000

Materials declaration questionnaires - Basic guidelines

IEC Guide 113:2000 is written to assist companies which have to develop materials declaration questionnaires for products, for instance as part of purchase specifications. It intends to increase the harmonization and the comparability of the various questionnaires. This is supposed to lead to cost reduction, both for those sending questionnaires and for those answering them, but it must be kept in mind that the possibilities for harmonizing the materials declaration questionnaires are limited because of the differing needs of those requiring information, and because of the continual changes of the hazardous materials lists. This guideline is not prescriptive.

Questionnaires pour la déclaration des matériaux - Principes de base

Le Guide CEI 113:2000 a été rédigé dans le but d'aider les sociétés qui doivent établir des questionnaires pour la déclaration des matériaux de leurs produits, par exemple pour être intégrées dans les spécifications d'acquisition. Il a pour but d'augmenter l'harmonisation et la comparabilité des différents questionnaires. Le but recherché est la réduction des coûts, pour ceux qui envoient les questionnaires ainsi que pour ceux qui y répondent. Il ne faut cependant pas oublier que les possibilités d'harmonisation des questionnaires pour la déclaration des matériaux sont limitées en raison des besoins divergents de ceux qui demandent l'information et en raison des changements continuels des listes de matériaux dangereux. Ce guide n'est pas normatif.

General Information

• Status: Replaced
• Publication Date: 17-Oct-2000
• ICS: 13.020.60 - Product life-cycles
• Technical Committee: ACEA - ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Completion Date: 22-Mar-2012

Relations

• Replaced By: IEC 62474:2012 - Material declaration for products of and for the electrotechnical industry
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

GUIDE
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
First edition
2000-10
Materials declaration questionnaires –
Basic guidelines
Reference number
INTERNATIONAL
GUIDE
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
First edition
2000-10
Materials declaration questionnaires –
Basic guidelines
 IEC 2000  Copyright - all rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission 3, rue de Varembé Geneva, Switzerland
Telefax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail] IEC web site http://www.iec.ch
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
H
PRICE CODE
International Electrotechnical Commission
Pour prix, voir catalogue en vigueur
For price, see current catalogue

– 2 – Guide 113  IEC:2000(E)
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
___________
MATERIALS DECLARATION QUESTIONNAIRES –
BASIC GUIDELINES
FOREWORD
This first edition of IEC Guide 113 has been prepared in accordance with annex P of Part 1 of
the ISO/IEC Directives by the Advisory Committee on Environmental Aspects (ACEA).
The text of this guide is based on the following documents:
Approval document Report on voting
C/1180/DV C/1202/RV
Full information on the voting for the approval of this guide can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.

Guide 113  IEC:2000(E) – 3 –
MATERIALS DECLARATION QUESTIONNAIRES –
BASIC GUIDELINES
1 Scope
One important aspect of product-related environmental protection is environmentally safe
product recycling or disposal. This is possible only with the knowledge of the substances
contained and the potential hazards to health and to the environment that they represent.
Therefore, the manufacturer should know which environmentally relevant substances are
contained in his products. Additionally, he should know the distribution and the concentrations
of these substances. He should be able to give the required information to those who need it.
The flow of information on material content involves several parties, as illustrated in figure 1.
Material suppliers
Manufacturers
of components
If requested
Manufacturers
of appliances
Private customers
Industrial customers
Consumer associations
Recycling/disposal
facilities
Figure 1 – Flow of information on materials content
This guideline is not prescriptive. It is rather written to assist companies which have to
develop materials declaration questionnaires for products, for instance as part of purchase
specifications. It intends to increase the harmonization and the comparability of the various
questionnaires. This is supposed to lead to cost reduction, both for those sending
questionnaires and for those answering them, but it must be kept in mind that the possibilities
for harmonizing the materials declaration questionnaires are limited because of the differing
needs of those requiring information, and because of the continual changes of the hazardous
materials lists.
2 Definition
Within the meaning of this guide, products comprise, in particular, materials, components,
subassemblies and appliances in the field of the electrotechnical and electronic industry.

– 4 – Guide 113  IEC:2000(E)
3 Procedure for developing materials declaration questionnaires
Depending on the product, requirements, level of confidentiality, etc., materials declaration
can take different forms, to be agreed between the parties involved. However, some basic
points are common to all materials declarations and taking them into account will help to
establish a sufficient level of uniformity, thus simplifying work and reducing costs.
A materials declaration always involves at least two parties, generally the purchaser (party
demanding information) and the supplier (party supplying information). Later, other parties
may make use of the original materials declaration, such as refurbishing companies,
recyclers, exporters of second-hand equipment, etc. These third parties become in due
course the party requiring information.
A number of questions should be settled between the purchaser and the supplier before a
materials declaration can be defined. The most important ones are:
a) Which item (full product, component, part, sub-assembly, etc.) should be considered? Or
should a declaration “tree” be used: finished product and components considered
separately? If so, which level of detail is required?
b) Which criteria should be used to define substances to be declared?
c) Above which mass thresholds and/or concentrations should substances be declared?
d) Which units for quantities should be used?
These points should be settled by consensus between the purchaser and the supplier,
preferably based on consensus between all actors in the supply chain. There are cases,
however, when the purchaser may prescribe the substances to be declared and/or the mass
thresholds or concentrations, without previous discussion. This is the case when regulatory
reasons are behind the request for information.
In other cases, the choice of substances could be left to the supplier, such as when the
purchaser only states the lists of restricted substances or the criteria.
In all cases, prior to elaborating any materials declaration, a clear statement regarding the
above information in general should be provided to the supplier by the purchaser.
4 Principles of materials declaration questionnaires
a) Materials declaration questionnaires should respond to the particular product or product
group (excluding packaging).
b) Materials declaration questionnaires should ask about the specific place or component in
which a declared substance is situated.
c) Materials declaration questionnaires ask for substances which are intentionally utilized in
products and should not ask for substances and residues of substances used in
manufacturing processes.
d) Substances to be declared should be unambiguously identifiable by nomenclature,
preferably by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number or other
internationally used registry numbers.
NOTE 1 CAS registry numbers are given to chemical compounds. Since a chemical compound can have different
names, the CAS registry number is used for unambiguous identification.
e) Weight limits above which components or parts of products are taken into consideration
should be defined.
NOTE 2 Decisive factors can be the risks given by the contained substances and the end-of-life treatment. For
example, it can be necessary to declare small switches containing mercury because they can lead to the
contamination of shredded material. On the other hand, it may be acceptable to leave out minor flame-retarded
plastic parts if the whole product will be incinerated.

Guide 113  IEC:2000(E) – 5 –
f) Concentration limits for the substances in the materials declaration questionnaire should
be defined. In the case of hazardous substances, concentration limits should preferably be
based on an assessment of the risks involved.
NOTE 3 The threshold value could be 0,1 % by mass in accordance with the limit for the consideration of
carcinogenic or mutagenic substances for classification. In the case of declaration of carcinogenic or mutagenic
substances, this exact threshold value should be chosen. To simplify the materials declaration this concentration
limit may also be used for all other substances.
g) Whenever possible, concentration values should refer to th
...

IEC GUIDE 113
Edition 1.0 2000-10
GUIDE
GUIDE
Materials declaration questionnaires – Basic guidelines

Questionnaires pour la déclaration des matériaux – Principes de base
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either IEC or
IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester.
If you have any questions about IEC copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication,
please contact the address below or your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.
Si vous avez des questions sur le copyright de la CEI ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette
publication, utilisez les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de la CEI de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office
3, rue de Varembé
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.
ƒ Catalogue of IEC publications: www.iec.ch/searchpub
The IEC on-line Catalogue enables you to search by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical committee,…).
It also gives information on projects, withdrawn and replaced publications.
ƒ IEC Just Published: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published details twice a month all new publications released. Available
on-line and also by email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and electrical terms containing more than 20 000 terms and definitions
in English and French, with equivalent terms in additional languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
Vocabulary online.
ƒ Customer Service Centre: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need further assistance, please visit the Customer Service
Centre FAQ or contact us:
Email: [e-mail]
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
A propos de la CEI
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications CEI
Le contenu technique des publications de la CEI est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez
l’édition la plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.
ƒ Catalogue des publications de la CEI: www.iec.ch/searchpub/cur_fut-f.htm
Le Catalogue en-ligne de la CEI vous permet d’effectuer des recherches en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence,
texte, comité d’études,…). Il donne aussi des informations sur les projets et les publications retirées ou remplacées.
ƒ Just Published CEI: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications de la CEI. Just Published détaille deux fois par mois les nouvelles
publications parues. Disponible en-ligne et aussi par email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
Le premier dictionnaire en ligne au monde de termes électroniques et électriques. Il contient plus de 20 000 termes et
définitions en anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans les langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé
Vocabulaire Electrotechnique International en ligne.
ƒ Service Clients: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv/custserv_entry-f.htm
Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette publication ou si vous avez des questions, visitez le FAQ du
Service clients ou contactez-nous:
Email: [e-mail]
Tél.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
IEC GUIDE 113
Edition 1.0 2000-10
GUIDE
GUIDE
Materials declaration questionnaires – Basic guidelines

Questionnaires pour la déclaration des matériaux – Principes de base

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
H
CODE PRIX
ICS 13.020.60 ISBN 2-8318-9982-6
– 2 – Guide 113 © IEC:2000
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
___________
MATERIALS DECLARATION QUESTIONNAIRES –
BASIC GUIDELINES
FOREWORD
This first edition of IEC Guide 113 has been prepared in accordance with Annex P of Part 1 of
the ISO/IEC Directives by the Advisory Committee on Environmental Aspects (ACEA).
This bilingual version, published in 2008-10, corresponds to the English version.
The text of this guide is based on the following documents:
Approval document Report on voting
C/1180/DV C/1202/RV
Full information on the voting for the approval of this guide can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
The French version of this Guide has not been voted upon.

Guide 113 © IEC:2000 – 3 –
MATERIALS DECLARATION QUESTIONNAIRES –
BASIC GUIDELINES
1 Scope
One important aspect of product-related environmental protection is environmentally safe
product recycling or disposal. This is possible only with the knowledge of the substances
contained and the potential hazards to health and to the environment that they represent.
Therefore, the manufacturer should know which environmentally relevant substances are
contained in his products. Additionally, he should know the distribution and the concentrations
of these substances. He should be able to give the required information to those who need it.
The flow of information on material content involves several parties, as illustrated in figure 1.
Material suppliers
Manufacturers
of components
If requested
Manufacturers
of appliances
Private customers
Industrial customers
Consumer associations
Recycling/disposal
facilities
Figure 1 – Flow of information on materials content
This guideline is not prescriptive. It is rather written to assist companies which have to
develop materials declaration questionnaires for products, for instance as part of purchase
specifications. It intends to increase the harmonization and the comparability of the various
questionnaires. This is supposed to lead to cost reduction, both for those sending
questionnaires and for those answering them, but it must be kept in mind that the possibilities
for harmonizing the materials declaration questionnaires are limited because of the differing
needs of those requiring information, and because of the continual changes of the hazardous
materials lists.
2 Definition
Within the meaning of this guide, products comprise, in particular, materials, components,
subassemblies and appliances in the field of the electrotechnical and electronic industry.

– 4 – Guide 113 © IEC:2000
3 Procedure for developing materials declaration questionnaires
Depending on the product, requirements, level of confidentiality, etc., materials declaration
can take different forms, to be agreed between the parties involved. However, some basic
points are common to all materials declarations and taking them into account will help to
establish a sufficient level of uniformity, thus simplifying work and reducing costs.
A materials declaration always involves at least two parties, generally the purchaser (party
demanding information) and the supplier (party supplying information). Later, other parties
may make use of the original materials declaration, such as refurbishing companies,
recyclers, exporters of second-hand equipment, etc. These third parties become in due
course the party requiring information.
A number of questions should be settled between the purchaser and the supplier before a
materials declaration can be defined. The most important ones are:
a) Which item (full product, component, part, sub-assembly, etc.) should be considered? Or
should a declaration “tree” be used: finished product and components considered
separately? If so, which level of detail is required?
b) Which criteria should be used to define substances to be declared?
c) Above which mass thresholds and/or concentrations should substances be declared?
d) Which units for quantities should be used?
These points should be settled by consensus between the purchaser and the supplier,
preferably based on consensus between all actors in the supply chain. There are cases,
however, when the purchaser may prescribe the substances to be declared and/or the mass
thresholds or concentrations, without previous discussion. This is the case when regulatory
reasons are behind the request for information.
In other cases, the choice of substances could be left to the supplier, such as when the
purchaser only states the lists of restricted substances or the criteria.
In all cases, prior to elaborating any materials declaration, a clear statement regarding the
above information in general should be provided to the supplier by the purchaser.
4 Principles of materials declaration questionnaires
a) Materials declaration questionnaires should respond to the particular product or product
group (excluding packaging).
b) Materials declaration questionnaires should ask about the specific place or component in
which a declared substance is situated.
c) Materials declaration questionnaires ask for substances which are intentionally utilized in
products and should not ask for substances and residues of substances used in
manufacturing processes.
d) Substances to be declared should be unambiguously identifiable by nomenclature,
preferably by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number or other
internationally used registry numbers.
NOTE 1 CAS registry numbers are given to chemical compounds. Since a chemical compound can have different
names, the CAS registry number is used for unambiguous identification.
e) Weight limits above which components or parts of products are taken into consideration
should be defined.
NOTE 2 Decisive factors can be the risks given by the contained substances and the end-of-life treatment. For
example, it can be necessary to declare small switches containing mercury because they can lead to the
contamination of shredded material. On the other hand, it may be acceptable to leave out minor flame-retarded
plastic parts if the whole product will be incinerated.

Guide 113 © IEC:2000 – 5 –
f) Concentration limits for the substances in the materials declaration questionnaire should
be defined. In the case of hazardous substances, concentration limits should preferably be
based on an assessment of the risks involved.
NOTE 3 The threshold value could be 0,1 % by mass in accordance with the limit for the consideration of
carcinogenic or mutagenic substances for classification. In the case of declaration of carcinogenic or mutagenic
substances, this exact threshold value should be chosen. To simplify the materials declaration this concentration
limit may also be used for all other substances.
g) Whenever possible, concentration values should refer to the proportions of the substances
in their immediate vicinities, for example a toxic substance as stabilizer in an insulating
layer or a carcinogenic substance as pigment in a plastic housing.
h) Materials declaration questionnaires may consider substances
– falling under relevant legal regulations (see Annex A);
– falling under relevant international treaties;
NOTE 4 This covers materials whose movement and disposal are subject to international treaties such as the
Basel Convention.
– hazardous to health or to the environment (see Annex B). In most cases, these
substances are concentrated in certain components or product parts (see Annex C and
4b);
– relevant to end-of-life treatment;
– relevant in another respect, and not covered by the above categories.
i) The different categories of substances to be declared may be clearly identified on the
materials declaration questionnaire.
j) In some cases it may be advantageous to group components together as a family.
It is advisable to use computer processable questionnaires.
NOTE 5 No weighting or hierarchy has been applied to the above list of principles.

– 6 – Guide 113 © IEC:2000
Annex A
Examples of legally restricted substances (status 1998)

The following substances or groups of substances are concerned by legal regulations which
affect putting on to the market products from the electrical and electronics industry. The table
gives a rough survey of the situation in some economically important regions. The regulations
range from restrictions for some applications to total bans with rare exceptions. For all
restrictions and bans, concentration limits, which depend on the application concerned, are
set.
It is the responsibility of the vendor to consult the most up-to-date registry of information in
the relevant country.
Table A.1 – Restricted substances

Restricted in
EU Japan USA
Asbestos Yes Yes Yes
Cadmium and its compounds Yes No Yes
Chlorinated fluorocarbons (CFCs) Yes Yes Yes
Mercury (in batteries) Yes No Yes
(VIC*)
Polychlorinated biphenyls and terphenyls (PCBs and PCTs) Yes Yes Yes
Polybrominated biphenyls and diphenylethers (PBBs and PBDEs) No No No
(VIC*) (VIC*) (VIC*)
* VIC = Voluntary industrial commitment not to use these substances

Guide 113 © IEC:2000 – 7 –
Annex B
Examples of criteria for the declaration of hazardous substances

Substances which comply with the following criteria may be contained in materials declaration
questionnaires.
Table B.1 – Possible criteria
Hazardous to he
...