COMMON LANGUAGE® Equipment Identification:
Network Element Providers (NEP) Previous Announcements
RoHS - Restriction of Hazardous Substances
Posted: July 13, 2006
Effective July 1, 2006, the European Union (EU) directive 2002/95/EC, better known as the "Restriction of
Hazardous Substances in electronic equipment" (or RoHS), bans the sale and/or transportation of
deliverables of electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of the following
identified hazardous materials:
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
- Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) flame retardants
- Lead (Pb)
This law requires manufacturers to restrict the use of these materials for production of not only Telecommunications equipment but also common electronic equipment, including network adapters. Manufacturers are also being requested to contribute to the protection of human health and the environmentally sound recovery and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
There are 2 informal categories for RoHS product compliance:
- RoHS-6 - Equipment that complies with the restriction of all six listed substances. This category is referred to as RoHS-6
- Equipment that complies with the RoHS Directive but, may use lead in solder (the limits for the other 5 substances must comply) are acceptable until the year 2010. This exemption has been introduced to allow lead in solders for professional, high reliability applications for which viable lead-free alternatives have not been identified. This category referred to as RoHS-5 (European Union will review prior to July 2010).
With the Lead solder exception, there is a need to identify two levels of RoHS compliance. The COMMON LANGAUGE® Equipment Identification Code Set will identify products that are RoHS compliant and the level of compliance (i.e., RoHS-5 or RoHS-6).
The RoHS regulation is specific to the sale of electronic equipment within the European Community. However, other countries are also exploring similar regulations, and it is only a matter of time before such changes are implemented worldwide. COMMON LANGUAGE® Equipment Codes (CLEI™ Codes) allow all interested parties (Carriers, Vendors, etc.) of telecommunications equipment to record and track equipment that meets these new stringent regulations.
New Alpha-Numeric Equipment Catalog Item (ECI) Numbers
Posted: February 18, 2004
The ECI is currently a six-character numeric process identifier. It maintains a one-to-one relationship with the COMMON LANGUAGE CLEI™ Code. ECI Numbers are also used to create linear bar code labels and support other Operation Support Systems (OSSs). The new format will allow for either alpha or numeric characters in any of the six positions. We estimate that we will need to begin using this new format in July 2005.
New Alpha-Numeric Continuing Property Record (CPR) Numbers
Posted: February 18, 2004
The CPR is currently a six-character data field that contains an alpha or numeric character in its first position, followed by five numeric characters. The CPR Number provides accounting and investment related classification data used to manage company asset records required by federal, state and other regulatory agencies. The new format will allow for either alpha or numeric characters in the 4th, 5th and 6th positions. We estimate that we will need to begin using this new format in September 2004.
Portable Tool and Test Equipment
Posted: September 15, 2003
Starting this year, a new expense threshold has been set by the FCC for the accounting of telecommunications Portable Tool and Test equipment. Previously the expense threshold was set at $500; the new threshold is $2,000. Due to this adjustment, Telcordia is in the process of reclassifying the embedded catalog records to agree with this new threshold. Vendors and/or manufacturers of such equipment are asked to use the most up-to-date Continuing Property Record (CPR) information by accessing the equipment catalog online or referencing the subscribed reports of the catalog. For questions, please contact us at 732-699-7347.
Now Online: Update Manufacturer Contact Information
Posted: October 30, 2002
We strongly encourage equipment manufacturers and suppliers to use our new online Request Contact Information Update and Billing Contact Information Update forms. By providing us with up-to-date contact information, you will be helping us expedite your future equipment-coding requests. We also suggest that vendors and manufacturers advise us of any buy-outs and acquisitions.
CLEI™ Code Bar Code Labels
Posted: September 24, 2002
There is currently a requirement that all hardwired equipment items (e.g., mountings) have corresponding CLEI™ code bar code labels. For more information, please refer to GR-485-CORE (CLEI Codes -- Generic Requirements for Processes and Guidelines), Issue 4, and GR-383-CORE (CLEI Codes -- Generic Requirements for Bar Code Labels), Issue 2.
Purchase Order Numbers Required
Posted: September 24, 2002
In order to ensure prompt service, please include purchase-order (PO) numbers for all equipment-coding requests. Failure to include a PO number or credit-card information will delay the processing of your request and may lead to its cancellation.
Coding Turnaround: First Come, First Served
Posted: September 24, 2002
We process your coding requests on a first come, first served basis. The clock starts ticking as soon as we have received all of the required product documentation and payment information. Please note, however, that a special handling charge may be invoked for expedited service.
Product Change Notices (PCNs) & Buy-Out Information
Posted: September 24, 2002
If your manufacturing product line encounters problems and/or failures with equipment, COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Identification can provide a 48-hour turnaround for any Class A or AC changes.
For more information, please refer to GR-209-CORE (Generic Requirements for Product Change Notices), which can be purchased through The Information SuperStore.
PCN class changes that are unrelated to potential problems and/or failures with equipment are processed within 30 days of the date on which we receive all required documentation. It is extremely important that your code requests clearly identify complete PCN change and/or buy-out information.
System ID Changes
Posted: September 24, 2002
System ID changes (e.g., name change rebranding) should be e-mailed to us via the standard COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Identification code-request channel so that we can record your system ID updates.
The COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Identification catalog also maintains proper associations between equipment items and system IDs so that carriers can easily retrieve equipment products using manufacturer name and equipment system name.
Product Availability
Posted: September 24, 2002
Equipment manufacturers and suppliers should use the standard COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Identification code-request channel to inform us via e-mail of a product's manufacturing orderable status change (i.e., CO to MD).
This will help us ensure that the COMMON LANGUAGE Equipment Identification catalog accurately indicates an item's availability to carriers and will also improve carriers' systems flow-through.