The European Commission under the RoHS Directive

With the rise in production of electrical and electronic products, the volume of electrical waste is rising and it is, in fact, one of the fastest growing waste streams. During the use, collection and disposal of such waste, harmful substances such as mercury and cadmium may be released, causing major environmental and health problems.

Restriction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS), is a directive of the European Union adopted to regulate the use of the certain hazardous substance in Electrical and Electronic Equipment.

The purpose of this regulation is to restrict the use of certain hazardous substances (currently 10 of the substances) and therefore ultimately keeping them out of the environment. Failing to comply with the RoSH directive can result in imprisonment of a fine up to £20,000.

The sales of halogen lamps was banned in the UK from September 2021. Following this ban, the European Commission has introduced 12 regulations under the RoHS Directive effectively banning fluorescent lighting for sale in the EU by 1st September 2023. This ban will provide crucial support to a global effort to phase-out fluorescents under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

From 1st September 2023, the placing of T8 fluorescent lamps on the market will be banned. The phase out of the fluorescent will be happening gradually, with the fluorescent lamps in ring forms and compact fluorescent lamps with plug-in base being phased out as early as 25th February 2023.

The European Commission under the RoHS Directive

Overview.

Fluorescent Ban.

RoHS Directive - the changes at a glance.

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