Consultation on new RoHS bans
The European Commission’s environment department has launched the first of four consultations on new bans under the RoHS directive that deals with hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
- This is the start of a consultation process that will end in November 2013 with the publication of a final report on a methodology to identify candidate substances.
- The report will also recommend new bans.
- Six hazardous substances are currently banned under the directive, including lead and flame retardant PBB.
The first consultation, managed by Austria’s environment agency, will close on 10 March.
- It will be followed by a further three consultations between February and September.
- Three stakeholder meetings will also be held this year.
The new RoHS directive, known as RoHS 2, requires a review of banned substances listed in annex II of the law by 22 July 2014.