Cleaning up electronics: smarter, safer, and ready for the future

Nowhere is this clearer than in the cleaning of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) and other high-value, precision electronic components. Cleaning may appear to be a minor step in the production process, but it has significant implications for product performance, safety, reliability, and long-term operational success.

As traditional cleaning solvents fall out of favour due to mounting regulatory restrictions, forward-thinking manufacturers are adopting safer, smarter alternatives. Specially formulated modern vapour degreasing fluids are leading the way – offering a new generation of vapour degreasing solutions that align with UK REACH, EU REACH, F-Gas regulations, and increasingly stringent environmental and occupational safety standards in the United States, including TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act), OSHA, and SNURs (Significant New Use Rules).

Elizabeth Norwood, Senior Chemist at MicroCare, LLC further explores.

Why legacy solvents no longer make the grade

For decades, solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PERC), and n-propyl bromide (nPB) served as the cleaning workhorses of electronics cleaning. They were aggressive, fast-evaporating, and readily available. However, with scientific advancement has come a clearer understanding of the serious long-term risks associated with these substances.

These traditional solvents are now linked with substantial health, safety, and environmental hazards:

• TCE is classified as a human carcinogen and associated with liver and kidney damage
• PERC is environmentally persistent and a suspected carcinogen
• nPB is linked to irreversible neurological damage and reproductive toxicity

Global regulatory shifts

Across Europe and the UK, these chemicals are restricted or banned under REACH regulations. Their use is allowed only with specific authorization – a costly, time-consuming, and often unfeasible process.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken firm action under TSCA Section 6 to evaluate and restrict high-risk substances:

• TCE is subject to proposed bans for commercial uses including vapour degreasing
• nPB (1-bromopropane) is now listed as a hazardous air pollutant and is being restricted under multiple federal and state regulations
• SNURs need EPA approval before any new use of these legacy solvents can proceed

Additionally, OSHA exposure limits and state-level air quality standards – such as those enforced by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) – are prompting a shift to lower-toxicity, lower-VOC alternatives.

Continuing to rely on outdated chemistries is not only a compliance risk, but also a barrier to operational progress. Safer, future-ready cleaning solutions are needed. That’s where modern vapour degreasing fluids come in.

Safe, compliant cleaning with modern vapour degreasing fluids

Modern vapour degreasing fluids are engineered specifically for use in vapour degreasing systems. They are designed to help manufacturers keep peak performance while meeting the highest standards for environmental protection and worker safety – across UK, EU, and US regulatory environments.

Key benefits include:

• Non-flammable and low toxicity – reduces fire hazards and supports safer handling
• Zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) – helps protect the atmosphere
• Very low global warming potential (GWP) – complies with EU F-Gas rules
• Free of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) – ensures REACH compliance
• Low surface tension – allows the fluid to reach and clean intricate, hard-to-access parts
• Excellent materials compatibility – safe for use with metals, plastics, elastomers, and delicate assemblies
• Long fluid life and recyclability – contributes to cost savings and environmental goals

Because modern vapour degreasing fluids are chemically stable and recyclable in vapour degreasing systems, they deliver consistent cleaning performance with less waste, fewer change-outs, and lower long-term costs. It’s a smarter way to clean, from every angle.

The modern vapour degreasing advantage

Vapour degreasing is a tried-and-tested cleaning method that uses vapourised cleaning fluid to dissolve contaminants such as flux residues, particulate matter, fingerprints, and production oils. As the vapour condenses on the cooler surface of the part, it lifts away soils with precision and consistency.

Used in a closed loop degreasing system, modern vapour degreasing fluids:

• Provide faster cleaning cycles – ideal for high-throughput operations
• Require less space – compact machines are easier to integrate into manufacturing lines
• Use less energy and no water – reducing utility costs and environmental impact
• Generate fewer waste streams – simplifying disposal and lowering costs

Compared to traditional aqueous cleaning systems, which require large tanks, long drying times, and complex wastewater management, vapour degreasing with modern fluids is cleaner, leaner, and more environmentally responsible.

A smart move for smarter manufacturing

For electronics manufacturers across the UK, EU, and US, adopting Modern vapour degreasing fluids is more than a compliance measure – it’s a strategic decision for long-term competitiveness.

Here’s how:

• Supports environmental goals Whether you're pursuing ISO 14001 certification, responding to customer sustainability audits, or aligning with corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals, modern fluids help reduce your carbon footprint and ecological impact
• Improves worker safety By cutting high-hazard solvents from the workplace, modern vapour degreasing fluids support OSHA compliance and reduce the need for complex hazard training or heavy-duty PPE
• Boosts operational efficiency Faster cleaning, less downtime, fewer product failures, and reduced maintenance – all of which contribute to a leaner, more productive operation
• Ensures business continuity Modern vapour degreasing fluids help insulate manufacturers from the risks of non-compliance, supply chain disruption, and regulatory enforcement actions. Future-focused chemistry ensures continuity in a rapidly evolving global marketplace
• Facilitates easy transition Because modern vapour degreasing fluids are compatible with most existing vapour degreasing equipment, the switch can be made without expensive retrofits, new machines, or extensive operator re-training. That means less disruption and a faster return on investment

Navigating the global regulatory landscape

Whether you're working in Sheffield or Seattle, Bristol or Boston, staying compliant means keeping up with an evolving patchwork of local, regional, and global rules.

Key frameworks to watch include:

• UK REACH (post-Brexit chemical regulation)
• EU REACH and F-Gas Regulation
• US TSCA Section 6 risk evaluations
• SNURs and EPA New Chemicals Program
• OSHA Hazard Communication and PELs
• California Air Resources Board (CARB) VOC limits

A good vapour degreasing fluid supplier offers more than just cleaning fluids. They should partner with manufacturers to provide:

• Guidance on product selection and validation
• Access to Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and regulatory documentation
• On-site training for safe handling and optimized performance
• Lifecycle cost analysis to show return on investment

Conclusion: cleaning with confidence

The days of hazardous solvents dominating electronics cleaning are over. TCE, PERC, and nPB may have once been industry standards, but today’s manufacturers need smarter, safer, and more sustainable options.

Modern vapour degreasing fluids deliver on all fronts: regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and environmental responsibility. Whether you're aiming to stay ahead of REACH in Europe, TSCA in the U.S., or broader ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals, modern vapour degreasing fluids give you the confidence to clean with clarity – and lead with purpose.

Better for your teams. Better for your processes. Better for the planet.