EU - The Renewal of RoHS Exemption for the Use of Mercury in Certain High Pressure Sodium (vapor) Lamps

​By Decision 2010/571/EU, the European Commission granted an exemption for the use of mercury in High Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner) in lamps with improved color rendering index Ra > 60, which is now listed as exemption 4(b)-I, 4(b)-II and 4(b)-III in Annex III to Directive 2011/65/EU. The exemption was to expire on July 21, 2016.

In January 2015, the Commission received an application for renewal of the exemption for applications in entries 4(b)-I, 4(b)-II and 4(b)-III. In January 2020, the same applicant submitted an updated renewal application concerning entry 4(b)-I only. 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 concluded that the substitution or elimination of mercury in the applications concerned was scientifically and technically practicable as concerns a part of entry 4(b)-I, as well as entries 4(b)-II and 4(b)-III. Therefore, the exemption entries are renewed as follows:

4(b) Mercury in High Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner) in lamps with improved color rendering index Ra > 80: P ≤ 105 W: 16 mg may be used per burner, expires on February 24, 2027

4(b)-I Mercury in High Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner) in lamps with improved color rendering index Ra > 60: P ≤ 155 W: 30 mg may be used per burner, expires on February 24, 2023

4(b)-II Mercury in High Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner) in lamps with improved color rendering index Ra > 60: 155 W < P ≤ 405 W: 40 mg may be used per burner, expires on February 24, 2023

4(b)-III Mercury in High Pressure Sodium (vapor) lamps for general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner) in lamps with improved color rendering index Ra > 60: P > 405 W: 40 mg may be used per burner​, expires on February 24, 2023