On November 21, 2017, the European Union promulgated a new "Directive 2017/2102" in the Official Journal to amend the scope of regulation of "Directive 2011/65/EU" (RoHS 2 Directive). The RoHS 2 directive imposes restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The new directive mainly targets the operations of the secondary market for electrical and electronic equipment, including repair, parts replacement, refurbishment, reuse and modification and renewal. EU legislators believe there is a need to assist the operation of such secondary markets in order to promote a "circular economy". "Circular economy" is a concept that has emerged in recent years. The purpose is to extend the added value of products as much as possible. Even if the products have reached the end of their life, these products or their parts can still be reused, thus reducing waste. The RoHS 2 Directive allows electrical and electronic equipment that is not regulated by Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS 1 Directive) but does not comply with the provisions of Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2 Directive). On the market until July 22, 2019. After that date, electrical and electronic equipment that violates the RoHS 2 directive will be banned whether it is placed on the market for the first time or for the second time. However, EU legislators now believe that banning the operation of the second market is inconsistent with the general principles behind relevant EU measures, including the circular economy, and therefore needs to be reconsidered. Therefore, the new directive states that if recycling occurs within an auditable closed-loop business-to-business recycling system and consumers are informed that the parts are being reused, the RoHS 2 Directive's restrictions on hazardous substances will not apply. Reused parts in the following situations: A. Parts come from electrical and electronic equipment put on the market before July 1, 2006, and are used in electrical and electronic equipment put on the market before July 1, 2016; B. Parts come from July 22, 2014 Medical equipment or monitoring and control instruments recently put on the market, and used in electrical and electronic equipment put on the market before July 22, 2024; C. Parts come from in vitro diagnostic medical equipment put on the market before July 22, 2016, and used in 2026 Electrical and electronic equipment put on the market before July 22; D. Parts come from industrial monitoring and control instruments put on the market before July 22, 2017, and are used in electrical and electronic equipment put on the market before July 22, 2027; E. The parts come from all other electrical and electronic equipment that was put on the market before July 22, 2019 and are not within the scope of the RoHS 1 Directive, and are used in electrical and electronic equipment that was put on the market before July 22, 2029. On the other hand, some non-mainstream products have been excluded from the scope of the RoHS 2 Directive, including equipment or photovoltaic panels used to be sent into space. In addition, the pipes in pipe organs are made of a specific lead-based alloy that has no replacement; and most pipe organs have been in the same place for centuries, with circulation rates as low as zero. Therefore, pipe organs are also excluded from the scope of the RoHS 2 Directive, because even if the scope of regulation includes pipe organs, the effectiveness in replacing lead will be negligible. The RoHS 2 directive also does not apply to non-road mobile machinery with built-in power supplies, which have their own specialized professional uses. However, some non-road mobile machinery has two versions, both manufactured on the same production line. The only difference is whether the power source is internal or external. Under the RoHS 2 directive, both versions must be treated in the same way. Therefore, non-road mobile machinery whose traction drive system is powered by an external power source must also be excluded from the scope of the RoHS 2 Directive. Directive No. 2017/2102 amending the RoHS 2 Directive will come into effect on the 20th day after its promulgation in the Official Gazette. EU member states must implement the laws, regulations and administrative provisions established to comply with Directive 2017/2102 by June 12, 2019 at the latest. For details of Directive No. 2017/2102 amending the RoHS 2 Directive, please refer to the attachment: Directive EU 20172102.pdf Source: HKTDC Research (2017-12-15) Attachment file: Directive EU 20172102.pdf
