The EP confirmed 24 Nov first-reading EP/Council agreement on the revision of the RoHS Directive which aims to limit the use of dangerous substances in electronic/electrical equipment. By virtue of the agreement, the scope of application has been extended to all electrical & electronic equipment, including medical devices & monitoring/control devices. Annex III, which contains the list of restricted-use substances, will be removed. The Commission also proposed priority substances to be removed but this will be examined later on. In 2014 the Commission will report to propose further exclusions. General revision will take place 2020. The availability of alternative solutions (less dangerous) will be considered as a minor criterion to obtain an exception to the ban of dangerous substances. The Council must in turn confirm the agreement to allow the revised Directive to be formally adopted.
