EU consults on ELV and RoHS ban exemptions

Publication date: 10 June 2009

The European Commission is considering possible changes to a list of exemptions to a ban on heavy metals such as lead and mercury in passenger cars and electronic equipment, according to two consultations launched on Monday.

The first consultation deals with ten existing and two possible new exemptions to a ban on heavy metals under the EU's end-of-life vehicle (ELV) directive . Stakeholders are asked to comment on new restrictions or deadlines for existing exemptions and a potential exemption for lead in thermoelectric generators used in cars, requested by European and Asian carmakers.

In the second consultation, the commission seeks stakeholder views on a request for a new exemption under the EU directive on restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) in electronic equipment. The exemption concerns the use of lead and cadmium in certain ceramics glazes, for which the manufacturers argue no further alternatives exist.

Both consultations are open until 3 August and are being jointly run by Germany's Oko and Fraunhofer Institutes. The commission is expected to grant six new exemptions shortly. The upcoming Swedish presidency is hoping to secure a first-reading agreement on a proposal to revise RoHS by the end of the year.

Follow Up:

Consultations on ELV and RoHS exemptions

Source: ENDS