The plan now is to review exemption within three years, rather than the 10 years that was originally anticipated.
The Directive bans the bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants.
In a joint statement, seven major players in the world of photovoltaic solar – Atersa, Bosch Solar, Photovoltech, REC, SolarWorld, Solland Solar, and Wacker – said they continue to support the inclusion of PV in the RoHS Directive in an effort to support the safe and sustainable growth of the industry.
However, environmental, health and safety concerns about certain substances which are used in some PV technologies still exist, they said.
“As PV is a green technology helping the EU to achieve its environmental goals, the industry should meet the EU's requirements on environmental protection and consumer safety,” the companies said. “The undersigning companies welcome the European Commission's announcement that it will review the scope of RoHS and its interest in initiating legislative action if needed.”
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