To 14th March 2022. Questions whether RoHS Directive should be maintained, updated, tightened, repealed or replaced. The current RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic (E&E) equipment, 2011/65/CE) restricts some heavy metals and phthalates as well as certain brominated flame retardants (HBCD, PBBs, PBDEs including Deca-BDE) . Restriction of other halogenated FRs has also been discussed (TBBPA, MCCP) as well as the synergist ATO. In contrast to REACH (which does not cover imported articles), the RoHS Directive covers the restricted chemicals in all E&E articles placed on the European market, including imported articles – an area where REACH has been very weak (apart from substances of very high concern and substances intended for release). RoHS was “invented” to eliminate problematic chemicals from E&E in order to facilitate the safe recycling of the ever increasing amount of electronic waste. The current consultation proposes a range of approaches: maintain RoHS as is and improve guidance, simplify and reform substance assessment and application exemption processes, improve coherence with REACH, transform RoHS into an EU Regulation (directly applicable in all Member States without ‘transposition’), repeal RoHS and integrate provisions into REACH, repeal and address requirements under EU sustainable products legislation and Ecodesign.
EU public consultation (“Call for Evidence”), open to companies, stakeholders and individuals “Review: Restriction of the use of hazardous substances in electronics”, open to 14th March 2022 (input 4000 characters maximum and/or upload document) https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13137-Review-Restriction-of-the-use-of-hazardous-substances-in-electronics_en