National Semiconductor Corp. (Santa Clara, CA) announced that all of its products will be in lead-free packages by the middle of next year. Currently, the chipmaker's 15,000 analog and mixed-signal ICs are available in lead-free packages, and by the end of June 2006, National's entire product offering will be sold lead-free, unless deemed exempt.
The company will be fully compliant with Europe's Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive, but its lead-reduction goals are more aggressive than those in countries in which it does business, according to the company.
