P5 Platform
UK RoHS Updates
Feb 18, 2022 – On Feb 2, 2022, the United Kingdom released two important updates to its RoHS legislation. These updates include a renewal of the exemption of mercury to be used in ultrasound imaging systems and also an exemption for certain lead compounds and barium to be used in civil explosive applications.
These updates also will bring UK regulations in line with EU directives in RoHS (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) legislation.
Schedule A1 – RoHS Scope
Statutory Statement 1395 (2021) has been laid and concerns categories 8 & 9 being out of scope for Phthalates. This will bring UK regulations in line with EU directives.
The change removes paragraphs (a) and (b) from Schedule A1, introduced in S.I. 1647 of 2020.
The relevant guidance will be revised to reflect this in the coming weeks, and it will be effective from July 1, 2022.
Schedule A2 – RoHS Exemption Updates
- The exemption for Mercury is renewed until 30 June 2026, and is for the use in electric rotating connectors for ultrasound imaging systems. The use of mercury eliminates noise generated by metal-on-metal connectors and supports the peak power requirements by increasing the conductive metal contact area.
| No. | Application | Corresponding EU exemption | Categories of EEE to which exemption applies | Expiry date or status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93 | Mercury in electric rotating connectors used in intravascular ultrasound imaging systems capable of high operating frequency (> 50 MHz) modes of operation. | Annex 4, 42 | 8x, 9x | transitional case |
- A new exemption for Lead Compounds & Barium to be used in certain civil (engineering) explosive applications. This exemption is set to expire on 20 April 2026. These lead compounds are used in essential parts of EEI (electric and electronic initiators) – such as fuse heads, primary explosive charges, and pyrotechnic delay charges – for which there is a lack of alternatives.
| No. | Application | Corresponding EU exemption | Categories of EEE to which exemption applies | Expiry date or status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “96 | Lead diazide, lead styphnate, lead dipicramate, orange lead (lead tetroxide), lead dioxide in electric and electronic initiators of explosives for civil (professional) use and barium chromate in long time pyrotechnic delay charges of electric initiators of explosives for civil (professional) use | Annex 3, 45 | 11 | 20th April 2026” |
HOW SILICONEXPERT CAN HELP YOU STAY COMPLIANT!
SiliconExpert strives to provide up-to-date information and reporting on regulatory compliance across all realms of regulatory compliance, including: REACH, ROHS, Packaging, Chemical Substances, Conflict Minerals, and much more.
To learn more about SiliconExpert’s Compliance Module, click the link below!
References
SI 1395: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/1395/contents/made
Full A2 Exemptions: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/3032/schedule/A2
Subscribe to Our Blogs
Join 74,000+ Electronic Component Leaders who receive their updates and insight from SiliconExpert’ Tech Updates! Subscribe today and get access to articles on latest industry trends, tech updates, white papers, research, infographics , events, webinars, and more.
Subscribe Now