The RoHS Directive aims to prevent the risks posed to human health and the environment related to the management of electronic and electrical waste by restricting the use of certain hazardous substances such as heavy metals, flame retardants or plasticizers in EEE that can be substituted by safer alternatives.
However, this legislation also allows for exemptions from its restrictions, under certain conditions defined in article 5(1), adapting the Annexes to scientific and technical progress and are listed in Annex III and Annex IV. The exemptions in Annex III are suitable for all EEE. Meanwhile, the exemptions in Annex IV are only suitable for medical devices and monitoring and control instruments.
On January 26, 2023, the European Commission published Directives (EU) 2023/171, adding an exemption to Annex III of RoHS Directive.
Exemptions in Annex III of 2011/65/EU for all EEE (2023 update)
| Exemption | Expiry Date |
|---|---|
| 9. Hexavalent chromium as an anticorrosion agent of the carbon steel cooling system in absorption refrigerators up to 0.75 % by weight in the cooling solution. | Applies to categories 8, 9 and 11. Categories 8 and 9 other than in vitro diagnostic medical devices and industrial monitoring and control instruments have expired 21 July 2023 for category 8 in vitro diagnostic medical devices 21 July 2024 for category 9 industrial monitoring and control instruments, and for category 11. |
| 9(a)-i. Up to 0.75 % hexavalent chromium by weight, used as an anticorrosion agent in the cooling solution of carbon steel cooling systems of absorption refrigerators (including minibars) designed to operate fully or partly with electrical heater, having an average utilized power input < 75 W at constant running conditions | Expired for categories 1-7 and 10 |
9(a)-ii. Up to 0.75 % hexavalent chromium by weight, used as an anticorrosion agent in the cooling solution of carbon steel cooling systems of absorption refrigerators:
| Under review for categories 1-7 and 10 |
| 9(a)-iii. Up to 0.7 % hexavalent chromium by weight, used as an anticorrosion agent in the working fluid of the carbon steel sealed circuit of gas absorption heat pumps for space and water heating. | Applies to category 1 31 December 2026 (New) |
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