No agreement on ROHS … yet

The last 12 months have witnessed several proposals to amend the scope of the EU’s ROHS directive.

Proposals were published in December 2008, followed by more in July 2009, driven by Sweden as European Commission presidents.

Finally, in November, there was the first draft recast of the directive including a new “category 11” which would cover all EEE (electrical and electronic equipment), not included in categories 1 to 10.

There were proposed changes to definitions, additional substance restrictions and whether or not these should be analyzed using a ROHS or REACH methodology. Also under consideration was ROHS becoming a CE compliance directive and, finally, the status of exemptions.

So what happens next?

Well, three parties have to agree on a final version: the European Commission, the Council of Ministers supported by the Environment Council Working Group, and the European Parliament.

Currently they have differing views on scope, large-scale industrial tools, fixed installations, additional substance restrictions, CE compliance, and exemptions.

It seems certain, therefore, that there will be another recast at some stage next year, but it does look like there could well be significant changes to the scope of the directive.