Last Updated:	2007-05-07
Group:	Metals
Report Contents
-   Restricted Substances -   Summary -   Test Methods -   Relevant Dates -   Laws & Regulations -   Contacts -   Revision History

Introduction

In Austria, various requirements restricting mercury in products apply:

1. Mercury in packaging
   
2. Mercury in batteries
   
3. Mercury in fluorescent lamps
   
4. Mercury prohibition in electronics
   
   In Austria, restrictions applying to chemical constituents of electrical and electronic equipment (henceforth "EEE") are set forth in the Ordinance of the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management on Waste Prevention, Collection and Treatment of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment ("Verordnung des Bundesministers für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft über die Abfallvermeidung, Sammlung und Behandlung von elektrischen und elektronischen Altgeräten," BGBl. II Nr. 121/2005, last version published in BGBl. II Nr. 183/2006, henceforth the "WEEE Ordinance"), which implements the RoHS and WEEE Directives. It was amended by a further Ordinance, BGBl. II Nr. 183/2006. The amendments introduced by this subsequent Ordinance entered into force on 1 May 2006. The provisions of the WEEE Ordinance, as amended, that are relevant to the RoHS Directive's transposition, are discussed in this report.
   
   The WEEE Ordinance was enacted pursuant to the Sustainable Waste Management Act ("Bundesgesetz über eine nachhaltige Abfallwirtschaft," BGBl. I Nr. 102, amended by BGBl. I Nr. 43/2004, BGBl. I Nr. 151/2004, BGBl. I Nr. 155/2004, BGBl. I Nr. 181/2004 and Bundesgesetz BGBl. I Nr. 34/2006, henceforth AWG). Sanctions for violating the WEEE Ordinance are set forth in the AWG.
   
   Austria has also adopted legislation implementing Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (henceforth "Directive 76/769"), which imposes marketing and use restrictions in respect of certain dangerous chemical substances.
   

Defined Restrictions:
Packaging: 100 ppm for sum of heavy metals (lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium and cadmium)
Batteries: 0.0005 % (weight), 5 ppm
Lamps: 15 mg per lamp
Electronics: 0.1%