Study to assess seven (7) exemption requests relating to Annex III and IV to Directive 2011/65/EU : request for renewal of exemptions 6(a), 6(b), 6(c), 7(a) and 7(c)-I of Annex III; request for renewal of exemption 27 of Annex IV; and request for a new exemption for lead in bismuth lead strontium calcium copper oxide superconductor cables and wire and lead in electrical connections to these wires ...

The RoHS 2 Directive 2011/65/EU entered into force on 21 July 2011 and led to the repeal of Directive 2002/95/EC on 3 January 2013. The Directive can be considered to have provided for two regimes under which exemptions could be considered, RoHS 1 (the former Directive 2002/95/EC) and RoHS 2 (the current Directive 2011/65/EU). - The scope covered by the Directive is now broader as it covers all electrical and electronic equipment (EEE; as referred to in Articles 2(1) and 3(1)); - The former list of exemptions has been transformed in to Annex III and may be valid for all product categories according to the limitations listed in Article 5(2) of the Directive. Annex IV has been added and lists exemptions specific to categories 8 and 9; -The RoHS 2 Directive includes the provision that applications for exemptions have to be made in accordance with Annex V. However, even if a number of points are already listed therein, Article 5(8) provides that a harmonised format, as well as comprehensive guidance - taking the situation of SMEs into account - shall be adopted by the Commission; and - The procedure and criteria for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress have changed and now include some additional conditions and points to be considered.