New Consultation on Seven Substances to be Assessed for Possible Inclusion in RoHS

On 20 April 2018, the Oeko Institut announced a new consultation aimed at collecting information on seven substances which are to be assessed for possible inclusion in Annex II of the EU’s regulation on the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). The consultation runs through 15 June 2018.

 

The seven substances are:

1. Diantimony trioxide;

2. Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A);

3. Indium phosphide;

4. Medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs);

5. Beryllium and its compounds;

6. Nickel sulphate and nickel sulfamate; and

7. Cobalt dichloride and cobalt sulphate.

 

Oeko is also currently reviewing the existing methodology to identify and assess substances for possible restrictions under RoHS.

 

 

The Oeko-Institut provides assistance to the European Commission (EC) on "technological, socio-economic and cost-benefit assessment related to exemptions from the substance restrictions in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS Directive)." The EC relies upon the Oeko Institut's evaluations and recommendations in order to decide how and whether to allow certain exemptions from the RoHS requirements. Oeko evaluates exemption requests in groups that it calls "packs." This set of topics described above are contained in Pack 15.

 

 

RoHS restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. As a result of this review, seven substances have the potential to be added to the EU’s RoHS regulation in the future. Certain methodologies may be revised as well.

 

The EU's RoHS regulation and its amendments are often replicated in other jurisdictions around the globe.