Restricted Substances Overview in European Union

Last Updated:	2008-02-14
Investigation:	Complete
Report Contents
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Introduction

This report provides an overview of European Union legislation that imposes restrictions on the use of chemical substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). This legislation includes:

• The RoHS Directive (Directive Directives 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment ); and
• Directive 76/769 relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations, which will be repealed and replaced by the pertinent parts of the REACH Regulation as of 1 June 2009 (the restrictions adopted pursuant to Directive 76/769 are incorporated into Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation).

Directive 76/769 restricts many chemicals, including asbestos, azo dyes, cadmium, flame retardants, and PCBs and replacements. In addition, the EU has adopted a new chemicals regulation, the so-called "REACH" Regulation, that has broad potential impact on EEE, and EEE importers and producers (see separate Special Reports on REACH). Directive 76/769 will be merged into the REACH Regulation.

Directive 94/62 on packaging and packaging waste imposes restrictions on lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and mercury in all packaging and packaging components for EEE put on the EU market (see packaging report for more detail).

This report discusses

1. The EU's RoHS Directive,

2. Directive 76/769 on the marketing and use of dangerous substances,

3. The relation between the RoHS Directive and restrictions under Directive 76/769,

4. The REACH Regulation; and

5. other chemical restrictions.

Specific substance restrictions pursuant to Directive 76/769 are discussed in the individual substance reports. The WEEE Directive is discussed in the report on product take back.

Defined Restrictions:

The RoHS Directive's key provision bans the use of six substances in EEE. From July 1, 2006, new electrical and electronic equipment put on the market may not contain lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). National measures restricting or prohibiting the use of these substances in EEE adopted in line with EU law before the RoHS Directive's adoption, could be maintained until July 1, 2006, but would have to abolished after that date.