THE EU AMENDS EXEMPTION LISTS IN ANNEX IV OF ROHS 2

Chemical, Europe

On the 25th of June 2016 the Official Journal of the European Union published Directive (EU) 2016/1028 to amend point 26 regarding an exemption on lead, and (EU) 2016/1029 to add point 43 regarding an exemption on cadmium. The directives shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Main Amendments

Amended point 26 (EU) 2016/1028Lead in the following applications that are used durably at a temperature below – 20°C under normal operating and storage conditions:   (a) solders on printed circuit boards; (b) termination coatings of electrical and electronic components and coatings of printed circuit boards; (c) solders for connecting wires and cables; (d) solders connecting transducers and sensors. Lead in solders of electrical connections to temperature measurement sensors in devices which are designed to be used periodically at temperatures below – 150°C. These exemptions expire on the 30th of June 2021.
Added point 43 (EU) 2016/1029Cadmium anodes in Hersch cells for oxygen sensors used in industrial monitoring and control instruments, where sensitivity below 10 ppm is required.   Expires on the 15th of July 2023.

Update Rule

Annex IV of RoHS 2 is the exemption list of medical devices, and monitoring and control instruments.

According to 2011/65/EU Article 5, for the exemptions listed in Annex IV as of the 21st of July 2011 the maximum validity period shall be 7 years from the relevant dates laid down in Article 4(3), unless a shorter period is specified. An application for renewal of an exemption shall be made no later than 18 months before the exemption expires. In the event that the application for renewal of an exemption is rejected or that an exemption is revoked, the exemption shall expire at the earliest 12 months, and at the latest 18 months, after the date of the decision.

CTI Suggestion

RoHS 2.0 exemptions have a great impact on the electrical and electronic industry, this revision puts forward the expiry date of exemptions. Enterprises need to be aware of the RoHS exemption updated information. Those manufacturers affected are recommended to update their exemption lists and hazardous substances control standards to meet the latest substances restriction requirements of RoHS 2.