European Union has declared the new exemption for the lead and hexavalent chromium compounds in RoHS Directive.
Lead and hexavalent chromium are restricted substances as it is used in electric and electronic initiators of explosives for civil (professional) use. Certain lead and hexavalent chromium compounds are used in essential parts of electric and electronic initiators (EEI), such as:
• Electric fuse heads
• Primary explosive charges
• Pyrotechnic delay charges
There are not many alternatives for lead diazide, lead styphnate, lead dipicramate, orange lead (lead tetroxide), lead dioxide in EEI. Due to lack of alternatives, substitution or elimination of these above-said lead diazide lead styphnate, etc are unworkable in certain EEI components. The exemption is consistent and does not affect the environment and health protection
An exemption is requested on April 20 2021 and it will be effective on November 2021 and the exemption is granted for five years ending in April 2026.
In Annex III to Directive 2011/65/EU, the subsequent entry 45 is added:
| 45 | Lead diazide, lead styphnate, lead dipicramate, orange lead (lead tetroxide), lead dioxide in electric and electronic initiators of explosives for civil (professional) use, and barium chromate in a long time pyrotechnic delay charges of electric initiators of explosives for civil (professional) use | Applies to category 11 and expires on 20 April 2026’ |
Reference: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir_del/2021/647/oj
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