The European Commission has recently updated the EU RoHS exemptions list. Importantly, as of July 1st, 2019, the exemptions 6(a) and 6(b) will be modified as follows:
| Exemption # | Description | Expiration date |
| 6a | Lead as an alloying element in steel for machining purposes and in galvanized steel containing up to 0.35 % lead by weight
|
Applies to categories 8 and 9. Expires on: — 21 July 2021 for categories 8 and 9 other than in vitro diagnostic medical devices and industrial monitoring and control instruments; — 21 July 2023 for category 8 in vitro diagnostic medical devices; — 21 July 2024 for category 9 industrial monitoring and control instruments, and for category 11. |
| 6a-I | Lead as an alloying element in steel for machining purposes containing up to 0,35 % lead by weight and in batch hot dip galvanized steel components containing up to 0.2 % lead by weight | Applies to categories 1 to 7 and 10. Expires on 21 July 2021 for categories 1-7 and 10. |
| 6b | Lead as an alloying element in aluminum containing up to 0.4 % lead by weight | Applies to categories 8 and 9. Expires on: — 21 July 2021 for categories 8 and 9 other than in vitro diagnostic medical devices and industrial monitoring and control instruments; — 21 July 2023 for category 8 in vitro diagnostic medical devices; — 21 July 2024 for category 9 industrial monitoring and control instruments, and for category 11. |
| 6b-I | Lead as an alloying element in aluminum containing up to 0.4 % lead by weight, provided it stems from lead-bearing aluminum scrap recycling | Applies to categories 1 to 7 and 10. Expires on 21 July 2021 for categories 1-7 and 10. |
| 6b-II | Lead as an alloying element in aluminum for machining purposes with a lead content up to 0.4 % by weight | Applies to categories 1 to 7 and 10. Expires on 18 May 2021 for categories 1-7 and 10. |
RoHS product technical files and declarations of conformity will have to be updated accordingly.
Here are further details about EU RoHS requirements: https://www.enviropass.ca/english/eu-rohs/
