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arvind
- July 31, 2022
In 2022, the European Union proposed adding two new substances to the restricted list under the RoHS Directive: Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs). These additions, if approved, would increase the number of restricted substances from 10 to 12. The European Commission conducted a public consultation on this proposal, and the restrictions were expected to be adopted by the fourth quarter of 2022 (CIRS Group) (GreenSoft Technology, Inc.).
If the European Commission’s proposal to add Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) to the RoHS Directive’s list of restricted substances is approved, the following impacts can be expected:
- Increased Compliance Requirements: Manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) will need to ensure that their products comply with the new restrictions on these two additional substances. This would involve testing products for the presence of TBBP-A and MCCPs and ensuring they do not exceed the allowable concentration limits (typically 0.1% by weight) (CIRS Group) (UL Solutions).
- Product Redesign and Reformulation: Companies may need to redesign or reformulate products to replace these substances with safer alternatives. This could involve significant research and development efforts, as well as potential changes to manufacturing processes (CIRS Group).
- Supply Chain Adjustments: The supply chain will need to adapt to the new regulations. Suppliers of components and materials will need to provide documentation proving compliance with the new restrictions, which may require additional testing and certification efforts (GreenSoft Technology, Inc.).
- Market Access: Non-compliant products will not be allowed to be placed on the EU market. Companies failing to comply with the updated RoHS Directive could face penalties and be forced to withdraw their products from the market, affecting their business operations and revenue (UL Solutions).
- Environmental and Health Benefits: Restricting the use of TBBP-A and MCCPs is expected to reduce environmental pollution and human exposure to these hazardous substances, contributing to better health and environmental outcomes (CIRS Group).
Overall, the addition of these substances to the RoHS restricted list would enhance the regulatory framework’s effectiveness in controlling hazardous substances in electronic products, promoting safer and more sustainable manufacturing practices.