Substitutes for contaminants: The EU’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive

Cadmium in TVs, mercury in compact fluorescent lamps … various electrical and electronic devices contain hazardous substances such as heavy metals and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The purpose of the EU’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive is to prohibit the use of these substances or at least to limit them to applications for which there are no safer alternatives. The Directive currently prohibits the use of six substances in electrical and electronic devices, including lead and hexavalent chromium. In July 2019, its provisions will additionally apply to four phthalates, which are mainly used as plasticisers (softening agents). 

Exemptions for hazardous substances under the RoHS Directive

The RoHS Directive permits exemptions from the substance restriction if substitution is not possible from a scientific and technical point of view, or if there is no permitted alternative, or if the negative environmental or health impacts caused by substitution are likely to outweigh the human and environmental benefits thereof. The exemptions are time-limited and must be renewed at regular intervals.

Since 2006, the Oeko-Institut has conducted various studies which reviewed more than 100 exemption requests in order to determine whether they were justified and complied with the relevant criteria. As part of the review process, the researchers assessed information and data from the request applicants, from stakeholders and from publicly accessible sources. They then submitted their recommendations to the European Commission.

Project website: RoHS Evaluations of exemption requests and other topics