EU RoHS

January 25, 2016 | Written by GreenSoft Technology, Inc.

The Bulk of RoHS-2 Exemptions Expire This July: Be Prepared!

The EU RoHS-2 Directive restricting the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) has a multi-year implementation system that allows exemptions for certain applications where meeting the RoHS substance restriction thresholds is not technologically feasible. Many of these use-based exemptions are set to expire this year.

Companies affected by RoHS-2 are required to ensure that their EEE products do not contain the hazardous substances restricted under RoHS-2, except for specific exemptions called out in RoHS-2 annexes. However, many of the most commonly used exemptions applicable to product categories 1-7 and 10 are set to expire on July 21, 2016. Category 8, medical devices, and Category 9, monitoring and control equipment, have no exemptions set to expire in 2016.

For exemptions where an application for extension is being processed by the EU authorities, the July 21, 2016 deadline has been delayed while the applications for extension are reviewed. The actual fate and expiration dates for these particular exemptions vary depending on the exemption and status of the ongoing Article 5 exemption review.

Substances from Categories 1-7 and 10 with exemptions that expire this July are listed here.

With the stated exemption expiration date only a few months away, and the status and timing of exemption extension reviews unknown, companies using parts or materials which utilize expiring exemptions to achieve RoHS-2 compliance should immediately begin finding replacements and phasing out the use of these parts or materials.

GreenSoft can help with this process, including the sourcing of replacement parts. We can help you collect the substance data on your parts and format the data to meet the due diligence and documentation requirements of RoHS-2 and EN 50581. Give us a call at +1-323-254-5961 or email today to get started!