Description of socio-economic impacts

• Author: Clemm, Christan; Löw, Clara; Baron, Yifaat; Moch, Katja; Möller, Martin; Köhler, Andreas R; Gensch, Carl-Otto; Deubzer, Otmar
• Pages: 32-34

RoHS Annex II Dossier, final

Nickel sulphate and nickel sulfamate

32

9. DESCRIPTION OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS

9.1. Approach and assumptions

The scope of this assessment requires a review of possible socio-economic impacts related to a

scenario in which the substances under assessment (nickel sulphate and nickel sulfamate) were to

be added to the list of restricted substances specified in Annex II of RoHS 2. This would restrict the

presence of these substances in EEE to be placed on the market in the future.

However, as has been specified in the sections above, these compounds are used in plating

processes of relevance to the manufacture of EEE, but do not remain in the final products in their

compound form. In this sense, it is assumed that a restriction of the two substances would not be

effective: RoHS restricts the presence of substances present in EEE placed on the market and

thus would not affect substances used in manufacture, assuming these do not remain present in

the final product to be placed on the market.

Against this background it is generally assumed that:

• Substitution would not take place, seeing as the applications do not contain these substances

and would still be allowed on the market;

• the choice of related EEE available to consumers would not be expected to change, nor the

properties and characteristics of such EEE;

• the amount of related EEE reaching end-of-life and subject to waste management would not be

expected to change as a result of the restriction;

• potential impacts of substitution on health and or environment during use and or the waste

phase would thus not be expected.

9.2. Impact on chemicals industry

As the compounds do not remain present in the final product, it is assumed that manufacture could

continue without change. In this sense, the chemicals industry would continue manufacture as

usual.

9.3. Impact on EEE producers

As the compounds do not remain present in the final product, it is assumed that manufacture could

continue without change. In this sense, EEE producers and their supply chain would continue

manufacture as usual.

The only aspect that might change is related to the administrative burden of the restriction of a new

substance and the need to document its possible presence in products in order to comply with

legislation. This impact is expected to be short termed, mainly occurring following the introduction

of the restriction. Its essence would include the preparation of relevant documentation and in some

cases, it can be expected that manufacturers and/or their suppliers would increase possible testing

of the presence of the two Ni compounds in final components and products to ensure compliance

with the restriction. Such activities may be initiated by suppliers that want to prove to Original

Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that their materials and components are free from the restricted

compounds, by OEMs with the same intention in mind as well as by OEMs as a means of