1. MEPs flag potentially hazardous
substances in electrical and electronic
Press release
equipment
Some substances, including halogenated flame retardants and PVC, should under-
go further assessments for safe use in electrical and electronic equipment, said En-
vironment Committee MEPs on Wednesday. The list of substances banned by the
EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive should apply to all such
equipment, unless specifically excluded. One such exclusion could be for renewable
energy generation. Plans to recast this directive are to be put to a plenary vote in July.
Some substances can pose health or environmental risks during the life of an electrical or
electronic device, or when it is dumped or processed as waste. The EU Restriction of Haz-
ardous Substances (RoHS), Directive has a global impact, since it applies to goods im-
ported from third countries as well as those produced in the EU. Furthermore, much EU e-
waste is processed in developing countries, often in sub-standard conditions. The commit-
tee approved its legislative report on the proposed recast of this Directive was approved in
the Environment Committee today, with 55 votes in favour, 1 against and 2 abstentions.
Substances flagged for attention
MEPs called for further evaluation for a number of substances that are not currently re-
stricted, including halogenated flame retardants and PVC. Jill Evans (Greens/EFA, UK),
the MEP guiding this legislation through Parliament, commented: "I am glad that, despite
heavy pressure from the chemical industry, the Environment Committee has today voted
for certain problematic substances to be highlighted for further review and a possible ban."
Any consideration of substances for possible restriction should be carried out under the
responsibility of the European Commission, using the "delegated acts" procedure, but the
European Parliament or Member States should also be able to propose substances to be
examined. Furthermore, the assessment criteria should include the substance's potential
health and environmental impact, said the committee.
Open scope
MEPs voted in favour of an "open scope", meaning that all electrical and electronic mate-
rial would be covered by the legislation, unless specifically excluded. This is designed to
achieve greater legal clarity than is afforded by the current rules, which take the opposite
approach.
MEPs recommended that certain areas be excluded from the Directive's scope, includ-
ing, inter alia, renewable energy generation, certain large-scale installations and industrial
tools, and material for military purposes and vehicles. They suggested that the European
Commission could propose further exclusions within a transitional period of 18 months af-
ter the recast Directive enters into force. Exclusions would be subject to review in 2014.
Nanomaterials
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2. Press release
MEPs took a tough line on nanomaterials, an area not specifically addressed in the Com-
mission proposal. They called for a ban on nanosilver and carbon nanotubes, and said
other electrical and electronic material containing nanomaterials should be labelled, and
that the manufacturers should be obliged to provide safety data to the European Commis-
sion.
Next steps
Parliament is currently scheduled to vote in July on the Environment Committee recom-
mendations for recasting the RoHS Directive. The Environment Committee is also to vote
on the related Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive later this
month, with a plenary vote also to follow in July. (TBC)
Contact :
Christopher COAKLEY
BXL: +32 2 28 44859
STR: +33 3 88 1 76853
PORT: +32 498 98 3326
EMAIL: envi-press@europarl.europa.eu
20100531IPR75278 - 2/2