SG 20/24
On January 10, 2024, the Official Journal of the European Union published the revised RoHS Directive (EU) 2024/232. This directive adds exemptions for lead and cadmium in recovered rigid PVC for use in electrical and electronic doors and windows to Annex III of Entry 46.
The EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) 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. Due to scientific and technical progress, exemptions have been set up for the use of certain hazardous substances in specific application. The exemptions are listed in Annex III and Annex IV to RoHS Directive. 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 10, 2024, the Official Journal of the European Union published the Directive (EU) 2024/232 to revise the RoHS Directive. This Directive adds exemptions for lead and cadmium in recovered rigid PVC for use in electrical and electronic doors and windows to Annex III of Entry 46 in the RoHS Directive. The details of Entry 46 are summarized in Table 1:
| Entry | Content | Scope and validity period |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | Cadmium and lead in plastic profiles containing mixtures produced from polyvinyl chloride waste (hereinafter referred to as “recovered rigid PVC”), used for electrical and electronic windows and doors, where the concentration in the recovered rigid PVC material does not exceed 0.1 % cadmium by weight and 1.5 % lead by weight. From 28 May 2026, rigid PVC recovered from electrical and electronic windows and doors shall only be used for the production of new articles under the categories specified in entry 63, points 18(a) to (d) of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. Suppliers of PVC articles containing recovered rigid PVC with a concentration of lead equal to or greater than 0.1 % by weight of the PVC material shall ensure, before placing those articles on the market, that they are visibly, legibly and indelibly marked with the statement: “Contains ≥ 0.1 % lead”. Where the marking cannot be provided on the article due to the nature of the article, it shall be on the packaging of the article. Suppliers of PVC articles containing recovered rigid PVC shall submit to national enforcement authorities upon request documentary evidence to substantiate the claims on the recovered origin of the PVC in those articles. Certificates issued by schemes to provide proof of traceability and recycled content, such as those developed according to EN 15343:2007 or equivalent recognized standards, may be used to substantiate such claims for PVC articles produced in the Union. Claims made on the recovered origin of the PVC in imported articles shall be accompanied by a certificate issued by an independent third-party, that provides equivalent proof of traceability and recycled content | Applies to category 11 and expires on May 28, 2028 |
Table 1
This entry shall come into force 20 days after its publication, it therefore came into force on January 30, 2024.
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