On 16 December 2021, The European Commission has adopted 12 delegated acts ending a broad range of existing exemptions for the use of mercury in lamps. On a case-by-case basis, transition periods of 12 and 18 months will be granted to allow economic operators to adjust to the new rules. For certain lamp categories, mainly for special purposes like in the industrial or medical sector, for which sufficient reliable mercury-free substitutes are not yet available, time-limited exemptions to use mercury are still granted, under the restrictive conditions set by the RoHS Directive.

Following their adoption by the Commission, the 12 delegated acts will be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council. Both co-legislators have two months to either accept or reject the acts – a process which can be extended by a further two months, if needed. Based on the applicable legal provisions, the co-legislators do not have the possibility to amend the delegated acts. After final adoption, Member States will have six months to transpose them into their national legislation.

12 delegated acts adopted by the European Commission:

1. RoHS mercury exemption 1 (a)-(e) – compact fluorescent lamps for general purposes

2. RoHS mercury exemption 1(f) - compact fluorescent lamps for special purposes

3. RoHS mercury exemption 1(g) -  compact fluorescent lamps for general purposes with a lifetime equal/above 20 000

4. RoHS mercury exemption 2(a) (1)-(5) - linear fluorescent lamps for general lighting purposes

5. RoHS mercury exemption 2(b)(3) - linear tri-band phosphor lamps

6. RoHS mercury exemption 2(b)(4) - fluorescent lamps for other general lighting and special purposes 

7. RoHS mercury exemption 3(a)-(c) - cold cathode fluorescent lamps and external electrode fluorescent lamps for special purposes

8. RoHS mercury exemption 4 (a) - other low pressure discharge lamps

9. RoHS mercury exemption 4(b) -  high pressure sodium (vapour) lamps with improved colour rendering index

10. RoHS mercury exemption 4(c) I-III - other high pressure sodium lamps for general lighting purposes

11. RoHS mercury exemption 4 (e) - metal halide lamps

12. RoHS mercury exemption 4 (f) - other discharge lamps for special purposes

URL：

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/news/clean-and-circular-electronics-commission-ends-use-mercury-lamps-mercury-free-alternatives-prevail-2021-12-16_en

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