The funny thing is the claim that the switch to PB free was some sort of sudden thing imposed on the industry from the outside instead of a 15-20 year long proc

The funny thing is the claim that the switch to PB free was some sort of sudden thing imposed on the industry from the outside instead of a 15-20 year long process where the industry have heavily involved in decision making. First rumblings I remember about phasing out lead was around 1988 or so. Same time they also had to deal with switching to surface mount packages and the phase out of Freon. The electronics industry didn't want the liability of having to deal with lead solder, lead contaminated waste, and worker safety. Seriously in 30 years I've never heard any complaints from the PCB manufacturers about phase out of lead. Only from people with no attachment to the industry.