EU RoHS Exemptions

By: SiliconExpert on July 6th, 2021

The European Commission has contracted the Öko-Institut to review a series of technical exemptions under the (EU) RoHS Directive that are set to expire end of this year.  Exemptions currently take 18 to 24 months from the application date. Priority is given to older applications. Existing exemptions for which a renewal request has been submitted remain valid until a decision is made by the Commission. This decision either indicates a new expiry date or, in case of rejection, grants a transition period of 12 to 18 months before the exemption expires. Exemptions with no renewal application expire on the date specified in Article 5 or in the relevant annex of the Directive.

 

RoHS Exemptions Status Definition and Statistics

Exemption StatusExemption Status DefinitionCount
ValidIndicates an exemption during its normal operational period (i.e. between the start date and 18 months before the end) if no renewal application have been submitted.170
Decided – not yet appliedIndicates an exemption already approved by an act entered into force, but with provisions to be applied at later stage.1
Valid – requested for renewalIndicates an exemption for which an application for renewal was submitted in due time (no later than 18 months before the exemption expires); the exemption remains valid until the commission takes a decision.81
Valid – no longer renewableIndicates an exemption for which no application for renewal was submitted in due time; the exemption remains valid until the end of expiration date3
No longer validIndicates an exemption after the end of the validity period.116

 

Below are the top exemptions requests for renewal and revised expiration dates, as well as the top exemptions that are no longer valid.

Exemption No.Exemption DescriptionCategory NameExpiration DateValidity status
6(a)Lead as an alloying element in steel for machining purposes and in galvanised steel containing up to 0.35 % lead by weight.8 and 9 other than in vitro and industrial2021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
6(a)-ILead as an alloying element in steel for machining purposes containing up to 0,35 % lead by weight and in batch hot dip galvanised steel components containing up to 0,2 % lead by weight1 to 7 and 102021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
6(b)Lead as an alloying element in aluminium containing up to 0,4 % lead by weight8 and 9 other than in vitro and industrial2021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
6(b)-ILead as an alloying element in aluminium containing up to 0,4 % lead by weight, provided it stems from lead-bearing aluminium scrap recycling 1 to 7 and 102021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
6(b)-IILead as an alloying element in aluminium for machining purposes with a lead content up to 0,4 % by weight1 to 7 and 102021-05-18Valid – requested for renewal
6(c)Copper alloy containing up to 4 % lead by weight1 to 7 and 102021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
6(c)Copper alloy containing up to 4 % lead by weight8 and 9 other than in vitro and industrial2021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
7(a)Lead in high melting temperature type solders (i.e. lead-based alloys containing 85 % by weight or more lead)1 to 7 and 102021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
7(a)Lead in high melting temperature type solders (i.e. lead-based alloys containing 85 % by weight or more lead)8 and 9 other than in vitro and industrial2021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
7(c)-IElectrical and electronic components containing lead in a glass or ceramic other than dielectric ceramic in capacitors, e.g. piezoelectronic devices, or in a glass or ceramic matrix compound1 to 7 and 102021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
7(c)-IElectrical and electronic components containing lead in a glass or ceramic other than dielectric ceramic in capacitors, e.g. piezoelectronic devices, or in a glass or ceramic matrix compound8 and 9 other than in vitro and industrial2021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
7(c)-IILead in dielectric ceramic in capacitors for a rated voltage of 125 V AC or 250 V DC or higher1 to 7 and 102021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
7(c)-IILead in dielectric ceramic in capacitors for a rated voltage of 125 V AC or 250 V DC or higher8 and 9 other than in vitro and industrial2021-07-21Valid – requested for renewal
11.bLead used in other than C-press compliant pin connector systems1 to 7 and 102013-01-01No longer valid
6.bLead as an alloying element in aluminum containing up to 0,4% lead by weight1 to 7 and 102019-06-30No longer valid
6.aLead as an alloying element in steel for machining purposes and in galvanised steel containing up to 0,35% lead by weight1 to 7 and 102019-06-30No longer valid
7.c-IIILead in dielectric ceramic in capacitors for a rated voltage of less than 125 V AC or 250V DC1 to 7 and 102013-01-01No longer valid
8.bCadmium and its compounds in electrical contacts1 to 7 and 102020-02-29No longer valid
15Lead in solders to complete a viable electrical connection between semiconductor die and carrier within integrated circuit flip chip packages1 to 7 and 102020-02-29No longer valid
4.dMercury in High Pressure Mercury (vapour) lamps (HPMV)1 to 7 and 102015-04-13No longer valid
4.dMercury in High Pressure Mercury (vapour) lamps (HPMV)8 and 9 other than in Vitro and Industrial2015-04-13No longer valid
16Lead in linear incandescent lamps with silicate coated tubes1 to 7 and 102013-01-09No longer valid
7.c-IVLead in PZT based dielectric ceramic materials for capacitors being part of integrated circuits or discrete semiconductors1 to 7 and 102021-07-21No longer valid
7.c-IVLead in PZT based dielectric ceramic materials for capacitors being part of integrated circuits or discrete semiconductors8 and 9 other than in Vitro and Industrial2021-07-21No longer valid

 

For the complete details on all requested renewals and exemptions that are no longer valid, visit this link.

 

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