EU - The Renewal of RoHS Exemption for the Use of Mercury in CFLs for Special Purposes

​By Decision 2010/571/EU, the European Commission granted an exemption for the use of mercury in single capped (compact) fluorescent lamps for special purposes, which is now listed as exemption 1(f) in Annex III to Directive 2011/65/EU. The exemption was to expire on July 21, 2016.

On December 19, 2014 and January 15, 2015, the Commission received two applications for renewal of the exemption, of which one was updated with a renewed application on January 20, 2020. In accordance with Article 5(5), second subparagraph, of Directive 2011/65/EU, an exemption remains valid until a decision on the renewal request has been taken.

After the evaluation, the Commission concluded that the elimination of mercury in the applications concerned or its substitution by a substance of comparable performance is currently technically impracticable.

Therefore, the Commission granted the renewal of exemption for a maximum period of 5 years for CFL lamps for special purposes designed to emit light in the ultraviolet spectrum. For all other types of CFL lamps falling into the category of CFL lamps for special purposes, the exemption is renewed for 3 years.

1 Mercury in single capped (compact) fluorescent lamps not exceeding (per burner):

1(f)-I For lamps designed to emit mainly light in the ultraviolet spectrum: 5 mg, expires on February 24, 2027

1(f)-II For special purposes: 5 mg, expires on February 24, 2025​