EU - The Renewal of RoHS Exemption for the Use of Mercury in Other High Pressure Sodium (vapor) Lamps for General Lighting Purposes

​By Decision 2010/571/EU, the European Commission granted an exemption for the use of mercury in other High Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes, which is now listed as exemption 4(c)-I, 4(c)-II and 4(c)-III in Annex III to Directive 2011/65/EU. The exemption was to expire on July 21, 2016.

On January 15,  2015, the Commission received an application for renewal of the exemption, which was updated with additional information on January 20, 2020. In accordance with Article 5(5) of Directive 2011/65/EU, the exemption remains valid until a decision on the renewal application has been taken.

After the evaluation, the Commission granted the renewal of the exemption as concerns entries 4(c)-I, 4(c)-II and 4(c)-III in Annex III to Directive 2011/65/EU for a maximum period of five years, as no reliable substitutes are currently available.

​The corresponding entries are replaced by the following:

4(c) Mercury in other High Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner):

4(c)-I P ≤ 155 W: 20 mg, Expires on February 24, 2027

4(c)-II 155 W < P ≤ 405 W: 25 mg, Expires on February 24, 2027

4(c)-III P > 405 W: 25 mg​, Expires on February 24, 2027