BRADY CORPORATION PROVIDES LEAD-FREE LABEL MATERIAL FOR RoHS COMPLIANCE

MILWAUKEE -- (February 15, 2005) -- Manufacturers who want to do business with the European Union (EU) need to comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) legislation passed by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union. This legislation mandates that new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than designated maximum allowable levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants will not be allowed to enter the EU market. Many manufacturers are in design and production now on products that will be sold after that date. It is estimated that approximately 30% of contract manufacturers will not be in compliance by the July 1, 2006 deadline.

"This is an issue that many manufacturers need to address immediately," says Brady Corporation (NYSE:BRC) Product Manager. "Although the RoHS legislation is more than a year away, many products are currently in production using materials containing lead. These products will not meet the compliance standards and will not be allowed to be sold in the EU." Brady Product Manager continues, "This legislation has an impact on the entire manufacturing process. Not only must all materials used be lead- free, but they must also be able to withstand the higher soldering temperatures needed for the solder material that is used with lead-free parts."

Brady Corporation (NYSE:BRC) supplies label stock to OEM manufacturers that are used for circuit-board assemblies. In addition to being lead-free and meeting the requirements of the RoHS directive, these can be used at the higher temperatures that are now required in the manufacturing process when using lead-free components.

Brady has a complete line of polyimide label stock that can be used for printed circuit board identification and tracking. The following part numbers will both meet the lead-free requirements and can also withstand higher temperatures: B-457, B-497, B-487, B-426, B-479, B-477, B-478, B-652 and B-654.

The polyimide label stock has been verified as being lead-free by a third-party testing lab. Reports are available to OEM customers who need to provide this information to be in compliance. For additional information on Brady products, please visit www.bradyid.com. Information in RoHS compliance will be posted on the site as it becomes available.

Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete identification solutions and specialty materials, with products including high-performance labels and signs, printing systems and software, label-application and data-collection systems, safety devices and precision die-cut materials for electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, laboratory and a variety of other markets. Founded in 1914, Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee and employs approximately 4,000 employees worldwide. Brady had fiscal 2004 sales of $671 million. More corporate information is available on the Internet at www.bradycorp.com.

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