Introduction

• Author: Clemm, Christan; Löw, Clara; Baron, Yifaat; Moch, Katja; Möller, Martin; Köhler, Andreas R; Gensch, Carl-Otto; Deubzer, Otmar
• Pages: 11-22

Methodology for Identification and Assessment of substances

for inclusion in Annex II under RoHS

11

II Introduction

Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) contains an increasing variety of organic and inorganic

chemical substances. Some of these substances have properties which are hazardous, and which

can lead to adverse impacts on human health and/or the environment when they are present in

EEE applications.

According to Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS 1), the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent

chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)2 in EEE

has been banned / restricted since 2006. Maximum concentration values by weight in homogene-

ous materials were specified3. Furthermore, for particular applications of lead, mercury, cadmium

and hexavalent chromium, exemptions from these restrictions were laid down, partly indicating

acceptable maximum concentration values or total contents.

In 2008, a proposal for a recast of the RoHS Directive was made4. The recast (RoHS 2) came

into force in July 2011 (Directive 2011/65/EU - hereafter RoHS). It aims at developing a better

regulatory environment and at specifying the conditions for adapting the RoHS Directive to the

technical and scientific progress. This includes adaptation of the list of substances being restricted

in EEE and the exemptions from these restrictions. Furthermore, it aims at a better prevention of

risks to human health and the environment, with a particular focus on workers involved in the

management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

Another objective of the recast of the RoHS Directive was to ensure coherence of RoHS with other

pieces of EU legislation such as chemicals legislation, in particular the system of Registration,

Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals introduced by Regulation (EC) No

1907/2006 (REACH) and provisions related to waste management; in particular the Directive

2012/19/EU (WEEE).

Annex II of RoHS specifies the list of restricted substances. Article 6 of the Directive stipulates that

the list is to be reviewed periodically5 and amended periodically, also specifying various aspects to

be considered as well as the criteria to be taken into account in the review of substances for pos-

sible future restrictions. Against this background, a methodology for the identification, prioritisation

and assessment of substances present in EEE and for the review and amendment of the list of

restricted substances provided in Annex II of RoHS was prepared in 2012-2013 by the Austrian

Umweltbundesamt (AUBA 2013). This document has been revised in relation to various develop-

ments in policy and is now being published for consultation with stakeholders.

2 For lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium the restriction is on the use of these elements and their com-

pounds. For PBB and PBDE the restriction applies to all members of these substance groups.

3 Decision 2005/618/EC

4 Proposal for a Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic

equipment (COM(2008) 809)

5 Article 6(1) further specifies that the periodic reviews should take place on the Commissions own initiative or follow-

ing the submission of a Member State restriction proposal.