EU to add two new substances to RoHS list
History of RoHS directive European union realizes the need of Restriction of Hazardous Substances(RoHS) directive for electronics industry and many electrical products. Initially RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC was originated in 2002 and restricted 6 hazardous substances in the list for all electrical and electronic products in the EU market from 1st of July 2006 must pass RoHS compliance. Cadmium (Cd): < 100 ppm Lead (Pb): < 1000 ppm Mercury (Hg): < 1000 ppm Hexavalent Chromium: (Cr VI) < 1000 ppm Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB): < 1000 ppm Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE): < 1000 ppm In 2011, Directive 2011/65/EU was published and called RoHS 2 with addition of Categories 8 and 9 and CE marking requirements on all the applicable products. In 2019, Directive 2015/863 published RoHS 3 restricted 4 more Phthalates totaling the substances to 10. Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): < 1000 ppm Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): < 1000 ppm Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): < 1000 ppm Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): < 1000 ppm New proposed update to RoHS list In Q2 2022, a public consultation was raised to restrict two more substances as per report by the Oeko-Institut which has been appointed by the European Commission. The recommended substances for addition are: Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A): Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) with CAS number 79-94-7 is a brominated flame retardant. The hazardous impacts to human body includes endocrine disrupter and immunotoxicant. The commercial use of TBBP-A as in manufacturing of of brominated epoxy resins, additive for flame retardant in thermoplastics. Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs): Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) with CAS number 85535-85-9 is also an flame-retardant has similar applications of TBBP-A also used as insulations, flexible property applications like cables and wire insulations. If the proposal is accepted after public consultation by EU commission the existing list will scale from 10 to 12 substances. This implementation will impact in larger way to most of the existing electronic and electric industries as flame retardant cable/wire/plasticizers are the basic building blocks for safety issue. To know more, please talk to one of our RoHS specialists today!
All you need to know about New RoHS Project (Pack 25)
Oeko-Institut has been appointed by the European Commission to assist in reviewing requests for exemptions of Restricted Substances under the Directive 2011/65/EU, commonly known as RoHS 2. The purpose of this consultation is to collect contributions from stakeholders. Oeko is responsible for collecting and evaluating information provided by Stakeholders, whereas institutions of the European Union are solely responsible for making decisions. The Oeko-Institut has begun assessment of the two exemption requests for the new RoHS project – pack 25. Below are the exemptions requests raised with the EU for the RoHS Directive: Mercury in pressure transducers (Mercury in melt pressure transducers for capillary rheometers at temperatures over 300°C) DEHP in a PVC base material (Bis (ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) as a plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is used to produce amperometric, potentiometric and conductometric electrochemical sensors, which are used in medical devices for the analysis of whole blood (i.e. in-vitro diagnostic medical devices). This study will provide information on exemption requests for two new exemptions that will be listed in Annex IV of Directive 2011/65/EU. It is important to note that this list of exemptions is specific to monitoring and control instruments for medical devices. The consultation period started on 30 November 2021 and will last for a period of 10 weeks, finishing on 8 February 2022. When submitting stakeholder contributions, it should clearly state if the exemption requests are justified or if there is no explanation. Your contribution must be supported by relevant technical and scientific evidence presented as part of the submission. The confidential information submitted during the consultation will be posted on the CIRCABC (Communication and Information Resource Centre for Administrations, Businesses and Citizens) website. Stakeholders will be given the opportunity to exchange further information after the consultation. Following the consultation period, the exchange of information or need for technical discussion will be identified. Consultations will be conducted with the following groups: EEE industry EEE industry federations Consultancies Research institutions & universities NGOs Public administrations To stay abreast of regulatory updates around material compliance, ask for a no-cost Compliance Gap Analysis with one of our global compliance specialists today!
Substances for possible futures restriction under RoHS-2!!
European commission has made a contract with Oeko-Institute to conduct consultations to support the review of the list in relation to the Substance Review and Substance Inventory under RoHS 2 (Pack 15). Stakeholder consultation for evaluation of restricted substance list and new exemption request under RoHS 2(Pack 15) has started on 05th December 2019 and until 30th January 2020. Substance Assessment:- There are seven substances to be assessed in the course of the study with a view to review and amen the RoHS Annex II list of restricted substances. In relation to RoHS restricted substances, the committee will be assessing 3 substances out of seven, in current consultation:- Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A) Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffin (MCCPs) Diantimony trioxide Below 4 substances has been already assessed in previous consultation closed on 7th November 2019:- Cobalt dichloride and Cobalt sulphate Nickel sulphate and Nickel sulfa mate Beryllium and its compounds Indium phosphide Substance Prioritization:- This consultation will collect the input on quantitative usage data for 43 priority substances that has been identified under EEE, the highest priority group of substance inventory. Following are the groups targeted by the consultation:- EEE industry EEE industry federations Research institutions & universities NGOs Consultancies Public administrations Conclusion:- The aim of the RoHS recast was, among other things, to reduce administrative burdens and ensure coherency with newer policies and legislation covering, for example, chemicals and the new legislative framework for the marketing of products in the European Union. The RoHS Recast Directive (RoHS 2) was published in the Official Journal on 1 July 2011. In January 2017, the Commission adopted a legislative proposal to introduce adjustments in the scope of the Directive, supported by the impact assessment. The preparatory RoHS 2 scope review studies are also available. The respective legislative act amending the RoHS 2 Directive, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, has been published in the Official Journal on 21 November 2017.