• Date 2021-05-14

In February 2021, the European Commission published a study to support the review of the list of restricted substances and to assess a new exemption request under Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2). The restricted substances in Annex II are periodically reviewed to adapt RoHS directive to scientific and technical progress. Two studies between 2012 and 2014 were contributing to the first review of Annex II, resulting in the addition of four phthalates (the restrictions entered into force as of 2019). The recent study was undertaken by Oeko-Institut together with the Fraunhofer Institute IZM and assessed the following seven substances:

• Beryllium and its compounds
• Five Cobalt salts
• Diantimony trioxide (ATO, flame retardant)
• Indium phosphide (InP)
• Medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) - Alkanes, 14-17, chloro
• Nickel sulphate and nickel sulfamate
• Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A, flame retardant)

From the seven substances, only two are recommended to be included in RoHS Annex II: Medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) - Alkanes, 14-17, chloro and Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A, flame retardant).

The Commission has yet to decide on the form of the implementing measure: via the ongoing review of the RoHS Directive or via a delegated act. In either case, the outcome is expected to be presented by the Commission in the first quarter of 2022.

Link to the study: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/ce50dc9c-6c19-11eb-aeb5-01aa75ed71a1/language-en/format-PDF/source-190653414

Further information about the implementation of the RoHS Directive, including the exemption procedure, timeframe and assessment studies can be found here:
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/topics/waste-and-recycling/rohs-directive/implementation-rohs-directive_en