Current RoHS exemptions under consultation

The European Commission has launched a stakeholder consultation on adaptation to scientific and technical progress under the Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment ("RoHS" Directive). A number of substances used in particular applications in electrical and electronic equipment would have been banned under the general provisions of the RoHS Directive, were it not for express exemptions (set out in the RoHS Directive) from the ban for these substances. However these exemptions were made subject to subsequent review and consultation and this review and consultation is now taking place.

The consultation which has just been launched is aimed at helping to determine whether the current exemptions should continue or be withdrawn. The exemptions under review are exemptions 30, 31 and 32. These are:

Exemption 30 "Cadmium alloys as electrical/mechanical solder joints to electrical conductors located directly on the voice coil in transducers used in high-powered loudspeakers with sound pressure levels of 100 dB (A) and more."

Exemption 31 "Lead in soldering materials in mercury free flat fluorescent lamps (which e.g. are used for liquid crystal displays, design or industrial lighting)."

Exemption 32 "Lead oxide in seal frit used for making window assemblies for Argon and Krypton laser tubes."

More information for interested stakeholders can be accessed here

Consultation responses are to be submitted on or before 15th November 2010 either by e-mail to rohs.exemptions@oeko.de or by post to:

Öko-Institut e.V.
Stéphanie Zangl
P.O. Box 17 71
D - 79017 Freiburg
Germany

This article was written for Law-Now, CMS Cameron McKenna's free online information service. To register for Law-Now, please go to www.law-now.com/law-now/mondaq

Law-Now information is for general purposes and guidance only. The information and opinions expressed in all Law-Now articles are not necessarily comprehensive and do not purport to give professional or legal advice. All Law-Now information relates to circumstances prevailing at the date of its original publication and may not have been updated to reflect subsequent developments.

The original publication date for this article was 23/09/2010.