Consultation response: Ban on phthalates in electronics (M2016/01109/R)

IT&Telecom companies have responded to the consultation

Read the consultation response here

The RoHS Directive (Directive 2011/65/EU) aims to reduce risks for human health and the environment by replacing and limiting dangerous chemical substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The directive will also improve the possibility of profitable and sustainable recycling.

Under the RoHS Directive, electrical and electronic equipment must not be placed on the market if it contains certain substances. The ban applies to today for mercury, cadmium, lead, hexavalent chromium and the flame retardants PBB and PBDE. Any homogeneous material in an electrical or electronic product must not contain more than 0.1% by weight of mercury, lead, hexavalentchromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDE) and 0.01% cadmium by weight respectively. A homogeneous material is a material that is not mechanically (for example, by grinding,cutting and crushing) can be broken down into different materials. Examples of such materials can be various plastics, metals, alloys, glass and coatings.

The RoHS ban applies to products placed on the market after July 1, 2006. However, later dates apply to certain products, ee.g. medical devices and monitoring and control instruments.

The RoHS Directive contains exemptions for certain uses. There are also an opportunity for businesses to apply for new exemptions. The exemptions are limited in time.