EU: New substances to be added to RoHS

 

The EU Commission has announced its intention to launch a public consultation on Hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment – list of restricted substances (update).

EU rules restrict the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The Commission regularly reviews the list of restricted substances to keep up with technical progress, protect human health and the environment, and improve waste management.

Following a technical assessment, this initiative proposes adding tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) to the list of restricted substances.

The change would mean that the current list containing 10 substances:

• Lead (0,1 %)
• Mercury (0,1 %)
• Cadmium (0,01 %)
• Hexavalent chromium (0,1 %)
• Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) (0,1 %)
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) (0,1 %)
• Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (0,1 %)
• Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) (0,1 %)
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (0,1 %)
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (0,1 %)

would reach the amount of 12 prohibited substances.

To find out more about the Restriction on Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS), product compliance in the EU and CE conformity assessment system, do not hesitate to contact the Product Compliance Institute.