CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

EU: New proposals for RoHS exemptions

june 2018- Relevant for: Electrical & electronics

The European Commission (EC) has proposed to amend exemption applications (See Table A) in Annex III of RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU¹. The amendments include an exemption renewal and a newly added application. The consultation is now opened until 16 July 2018.

The Annex III exemption 18(b) permits the use of lead as activator in the fluorescent powder of discharge lamps in sun tanning lamps containing phosphors, expired on 21 July 2016. Two renewals of the applications were submitted in December 2014 and January 2015. In addition, the Commission received a new exemption request adding discharge lamps when used as phototherapy lamps to Annex IV. As the assessment showed that it is mechanically possible that a lamp intended for medical use can also fit in the same sun tanning luminaire or equipment, a new sub-entry should be added to the current exemption.

In July 2015, the Commission received a request for new exemption to Annex III for use of lead in bearings and bushes of diesel or gaseous fuel powered internal combustion engines that applied in non-road professional use equipment under category 11 (other EEE not covered by any of the categories). Considering stakeholder’s comments with the required technical and scientific assessment, the Commission proposed this new exemption would be added as a new entry (42) with the exclusion of the application of 6(c) lead as an alloying element in copper of Annex III.

Table A. Draft amendments to Annex III of RoHS Directive

[1] Consolidated version of RoHS 2 Directive
[2] Consultation on RoHS exemption (18b) and (18b-I)
[3] Consultation on RoHS exemption (42)