EU RoHS may terminate the exemption for mercury in certain [[0]]

2021年12月16日，欧盟委员会通过了12项授权法案，将终止在灯具中使用汞的一系列现有豁免条款，对于部分工业或医疗行业的特殊用途灯，由于还没有足够可靠的无汞替代品，相关豁免条款仍然有效。欧盟委员会将根据具体情况给予相关企业12个月和18个月的过渡期以适应新规则。

It is reported that, in accordance with the EU RoHS Directive, electronic products containing mercury shall not be placed on the market unless a time-limited and specific application exemption is granted by the European Commission. Since 2016, the European Commission has concluded through assessment that safe, mercury-free alternatives to Fluorescent lamp have been widely adopted; therefore, most general lighting exemptions will cease. The new regulations aim to strengthen restrictions on this harmful substance to protect our health and environment, as well as to promote innovation and the adoption of cleaner products.

Approximately 5 billion luminaire units (mostly compact and linear fluorescent lamps) on the EU market contain mercury. Terminating the mercury exemption for fluorescent lamps will result in a reduction of approximately 2,800 kg of mercury. Risks associated with improper disposal or use of mercury lamps in households will also be significantly reduced.

Market data indicates that phasing out these mercury-containing lamps over time will yield a net overall benefit, primarily due to energy saving, and lead to an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In many applications, mercury lamps can be replaced at the end of their service life without modifying the installation, which will help transition to safer alternatives. Phasing out mercury-containing luminaires will further drive innovation and expand mercury-free lamp technologies such as LED already in progress.

After adoption by the European Commission, these 12 delegated acts shall be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council, which shall have two months (extendable to four months if necessary) to decide whether to accept them, without being able to amend their content. Once finally adopted, Member States shall have six months to transpose them into national legislation.

The mercury exemption clause in Appendix III covered by the 12 authorized bills is as follows:

1.1(a)-(e)— Fluorescent lamp with single end (compact) for general lighting

2.1(f)— Single-ended (compact) fluorescent lamps for special purposes

3.1(g)— Lifespan ≥20,000 hours, Power <30 w="" p="">

4.2(a)(1)-(5) — Fluorescent lamps with double-ended straight tubes for general lighting

5.2(b)(3)— Tri-phosphor fluorescent lamp (non-linear)

6.2(b)(4)— Fluorescent lamps for other general lighting and special applications

7.3(a)-(c)— Cold cathode fluorescent lamps and external electrode fluorescent lamps for special purposes

8.4(a) — Other low-voltage discharge lamps

9.4(b) — High-pressure sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting with a Color rendering index (CRI) Ra greater than 60

10.4(c) I-III — High-pressure sodium (vapor) lamps for other general lighting purposes

11.4(e) — Metal halide lamp (MH)

12.4(f) — Other special-purpose discharge lamps

Compiled and organized by China Lighting Network