The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) has been recast. Following considerable debate, the final version to be voted by the EP during July has been agreed by the EP Environmental Committee - and may well be published by the time you read this. Likely principal changes (as far as can be determined at this stage) are:
- NEW SUBSTANCE RESTRICTIONS: The committee intends to immediately restrict nanosilver and nanotubes. However, although immediate new restrictions proposed for many more substances will not be applied, the list of substances to be evaluated for later inclusion has been increased (from 4) to some 36 (groups of) substances plus all further 29 substances listed on the REACH Candidate List! The addition of further substances to the banned list after investigation is expected to be simplified and accelerated.
- Relationship with the New Legislative Framework: The inconsistencies between RoHS and NLF increase. It appears that RoHS will not, after all, require the CE mark to give presumption of conformity.
There will, of course, be a transition period for implementation.
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEED) is (still!) in its recast phase - agreement is proving difficult to reach. Among the proposed changes are:
- Coupling of the scope to RoHS to include ALL electrical and electronic equipment
- Reduced number of categories (eliminating the current category 9).
- Standardised registration and reporting throughout Europe
- Increased re-use and re-cycling targets
The Energy-using Products Directive has been recast and is now the Energy-related Products Directive. The subtle difference brings materials that can affect the amount of energy used (eg heat insulation) into scope.
The list of implementation measures that have a potential impact on our members now includes:
- Standby and Off mode power consumption applicable to household and office equipment - INCLUDING cameras and certain other equipment.
Scope is partially defined by the declaration of conformity to EMC emissions standards. - External Power Supplies - (up to 250W) for the above equipment
- Televisions and television monitors (including CCTV)
- Lighting with possible application to installations specifically for CCTV systems
Further studies to prioritise new implementation measures are ongoing.
There is also further work ongoing that will extend the scope further - including devices using water, which could impact on sprinkler systems. Independently of this recast, studies of certain water-using products (taps and showers) have already started!
Brian Harrington
Euralarm Technical Manager
