RoHS2 Annex III exemption clause update status and law amendment progress Since 2003, the European Union has implemented RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances, Directive 2002/95/EC) to regulate hazardous substances in electronic and electrical equipment products. The updated version of the regulation RoHS2 (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Directive 2011/65/EU) effective on July 21, 2011. For 11 product categories, the control covers substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and 4 types of phthalates. Taking into account the feasibility of existing science and technology, the practicality of alternatives and the socio-economic impact, exemptions and validity periods for specific controlled substances in specific products are formulated in Annex III and Annex IV. Before the exemption period expires, manufacturers can apply to the European Commission to extend the existing exemption period based on their own needs. Article 5 of RoHS2 points out that the exemption clause in Appendix 3 shall be valid until July 21, 2016 for products in categories 1 to 7 and 10, and until July 21, 2018 for products in categories 8 and 9. In response to the expiration of the exemption in 2016, many manufacturers submitted applications for renewal (extension) of the validity period of multiple exemption clauses to the European Commission before January 21, 2015. Although RoHS2 clearly stipulates that the European Commission should exempt the A decision will be made within 6 months before the expiry. However, the European Commission has only announced 13 (b), 13 (a) and 9 (b) A total of three exemption validity updates. In September, eight proposals for lead-related exemption validity updates were announced, including 6(a), 6(b), 6(c), 7(a), 7 (c)-I, 18(b), 24, 34 and other provisions, covering lead in steel, aluminum alloys, copper alloys; lead in cermet potentiometers, lead in glass or ceramics, etc., are currently being carried out Public consultation is open until October 17 to collect opinions. It is worth noting that for the validity extension proposal that is still under review, the exemption clause will remain in effect until the Executive Committee makes a decision. If an application to extend the validity period of an exemption is ultimately rejected, the European Commission will grant a transition period of 12 to 18 months for the exemption from the date of announcement of the ruling to help manufacturers cope. The International Chemicals Policy Promotion Network of the Industrial Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs has summarized the RoHS2 Appendix 3 exemption clause validity extension applications and EU decision-making developments in the attached table for reference by domestic manufacturers to help products comply with EU RoHS2 specifications. The URL of the attached schedule is as follows: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6WipJ_1sPPeV2JmWllKcWNWTVk/view In addition to the updates to the exemption clauses in Appendix III, the European Commission also proposed a draft amendment to RoHS2 in January this year, specifically relaxing the exclusions. Controlled situations, such as: electronic and electrical equipment, spare parts, traction-powered off-highway motor vehicles and pipe organs circulating in the second-hand market (secondary market, also known as the secondary market), etc. This move is widely considered to encourage the sale of electronic and electrical equipment refurbishment, use and reuse, and promote the development of circular economy within the EU. In June this year, the European Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on this draft, which will be formally voted on in early October. Once passed, it will officially take effect 20 days after it is published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member states need to Implement laws, regulations and administrative measures consistent with this amendment within its domestic territory within 10 months after it takes effect. The International Chemical Policy Promotion Network will pay close attention to the voting status of the RoHS2 amendment draft and provide the latest developments in real time for the reference of domestic manufacturers. Data source: International Chemical Policy Promotion Network (2017-09-30)
