On February 24, 2022, The European Commission (EC) published the following amendments in its Official Gazette to revise and update Annex III of the RoHS Directive. A total of 12 amendments have been issued, mainly for various general or special purpose lamps or lamps (including mercury). A transition period of 12 months or 18 months will be obtained respectively, and the directive will enter into force on the 20th day after its issuance.
(EU) 2022/274,(EU) 2022/275,(EU) 2022/276,(EU) 2022/277,(EU) 2022/278,(EU) 2022/279,(EU) 2022/280,(EU) 2022/281, (EU) 2022/282,(EU) 2022/283,(EU) 2022/284 and (EU) 2022/287.
Revision contents:
Clause number | Content | Term of validity |
1 | Mercury in single capped (compact) fluorescent lamps not exceeding (per burner): | - |
1(a) | Expires on 24 February 2023 | |
1(b) | For general lighting purposes ≥ 30W and < 50W: 3.5 mg | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
1(c) | For general lighting purposes ≥ 50W and < 150 W: 5mg | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
1(d) | For general lighting purposes ≥ 150W: 15mg | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
1(e) | For general lighting purposes with circular or square structural shape and tube diameter≤17 mm: 5mg | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
1(f)-Ⅰ | For lamps designed to emit mainly light in the ultraviolet spectrum: 5 mg | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
1(f)-Ⅱ | For special purposes: 5mg | Expires on 24 February 2025 |
1(g) | For general lighting purposes < 30W with a lifetime equal or above 20,000h: 3.5mg | Expires on 24 August 2023 |
2(a) | Mercury in double-capped linear fluorescent lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per lamp) | - |
2(a)(1) | Tri-band phosphor with normal lifetime and a tube diameter<9mm (e.g. T2): 4mg | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
2(a)(2) | Tri-band phosphor with normal lifetime and a tube diameter ≥ 9 mm and≤17mm (e.g. T5): 3mg | Expires on 24 August 2023 |
2(a)(3) | Tri-band phosphor with normal lifetime and a tube diameter > 17mm and ≤ 28mm (e.g. T8): 3.5mg | Expires on 24 August 2023 |
2(a)(4) | Tri-band phosphor with normal lifetime and a tube diameter > 28mm (e.g. T12): 3.5mg | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
2(a)(5) | Tri-band phosphor with long lifetime (≥ 25,000 h): 5mg | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
2(b)(3) | Non-linear tri-band phosphor lamps with tube diameter > 17mm (e.g. T9): 15mg
| Expires on 24 February 2023 From February 25, 2023 to February 24, 2025, each lamp can use 10mg |
2(b)(4)-I | Lamps for other general lighting and special purposes (e.g. induction lamps): 15mg
| Expires on 24 February 2025 |
2(b)(4)-II | Lamps emitting mainly light in the ultraviolet spectrum: 15mg | Expires on 24 February 2027 |
2(b)(4)-III | Emergency lamps: 15mg | Expires on 24 February 2027 |
3 | Mercury in cold cathode fluorescent lamps and external electrode fluorescent lamps (CCFL and EEFL) for special purposes used in EEE placed on the market before 24 February 2022 not exceeding (per lamp)
| - |
3(a) | Short length (≤ 500mm): 3.5mg | Expires on 24 February 2025 |
3(b) | Medium length (> 500mm and ≤ 1,500mm): 5mg | Expires on 24 February 2025 |
3(c) | Long length (> 1,500mm): 13mg | Expires on 24 February 2025 |
4(a) | Mercury in other low-pressure discharge lamps (per lamp): 15mg | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
4(a)-Ⅰ | Mercury in low pressure non-phosphor coated discharge lamps, where the application requires the main range of the lamp spectral output to be in the ultraviolet spectrum: up to 15mg mercury may be used per lamp | Expires on 24 February 2027 |
4(b) | Mercury in High Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner) in lamps with improved color rendering index Ra > 80: P ≤ 105 W: 16mg may be used per burner | Expires on 24 February 2027 |
4(b)-I | Mercury in High Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner) in lamps with improved color rendering index Ra > 80: P ≤ 155 W: 30mg may be used per burner | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
4(b)-II | Mercury in High Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner) in lamps with improved color rendering index Ra > 80: 155 W < P ≤ 405 W: 40 mg may be used per burner | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
4(b)-III | Mercury in High Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner) in lamps with improved color rendering index Ra > 80: P > 405 W: 40 mg may be used per burner | Expires on 24 February 2023 |
4(c) | Mercury in other High-Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner) | - |
4(c)-I | P ≤ 155W: 20mg | Expires on 24 February 2027 |
4(c)-II | 155W < P ≤ 405 W: 25mg | Expires on 24 February 2027 |
4(c)-III | P > 405 W: 25mg | Expires on 24 February 2027 |
4(e) | Mercury in metal halide lamps (MH) | Expires on 24 February 2027 |
4(f)-Ⅰ | Mercury in other discharge lamps for special purposes not specifically mentioned in this Annex | Expires on 24 February 2025 |
4(f)-Ⅱ | Mercury in high pressure mercury vapor lamps used in projectors where an output ≥ 2000 lumen ANSI is required | Expires on 24 February 2027 |
4(f)-Ⅲ | Mercury in high pressure sodium vapor lamps used for horticulture lighting | Expires on 24 February 2027 |
4(f)-Ⅳ | Mercury in lamps emitting light in the ultraviolet spectrum | Expires on 24 February 2027 |
Eqo advice:
The renewal of RoHS exemption clauses has a great impact on electronic and electrical related industries. In particular, the extension of some exemption clauses frequently used by enterprises may directly affect the production process and business activities of enterprises. It is suggested that manufacturers of electronic and electrical products continue to pay attention to the update progress of RoHS exemption clauses, timely obtain the latest information related to RoHS exemption, and carry out supply chain investigation, so as to respond in time when the exemption is updated.