EU: Heavy metals in scrapped vehicles – updated list of exemptions (lead)
The EU Commission has launched a public consultation regarding an update of the End-of-life vehicle (ELV) Directive (Directive 2000/53/EC).
The proposed Commission Delegated Directive amends, for the purpose of adapting to technical progress, Annex II of the ELV Directive as regards an exemption for specific applications containing lead.
The ELV Directive restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in materials and components of vehicles put on the market after 1 July 2003, as provided for in its Article 4(2)(a). Currently, vehicles and parts for vehicles placed on the Union market shall not contain lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium.
Annex II to the ELV Directive lists the materials and components of vehicles for specific applications that are exempted from the substance restriction of ELV Article 4(2).
The current exemptions 2(c)(i), 3, and 5(b) in Annex II permit the use of lead in aluminium alloys, copper alloys and in batteries. Annex II to the ELV Directive provides that exemptions 2(c)(i), 3, and 5(b) shall be reviewed in 2021.
The Commission assessed the exemption set out in entry 2(c)(i) of Annex II to Directive 2000/53/EC regarding aluminium alloys for machining purposes in view of technical and scientific progress. This assessment led to the conclusion that there are suitable alternatives available, but that a transitional period is needed to replace the use of lead in all the materials and components covered by that exemption. The use of lead in the materials and components concerned, including lead in wrought aluminium, could be phased out by the end of 2027. It is therefore appropriate to provide for an expiry date for that exemption.
The Commission assessed the exemption set out in entry 3 of Annex II to Directive 2000/53/EC regarding copper alloys in view of technical and scientific progress. This assessment led to the conclusion that there are still no suitable alternatives to the use of lead in the materials and components covered by that exemption. Taking into account the progress made in the development of substitutes to lead in the materials and components concerned, it is appropriate to provide for a new review date for that exemption.
The Commission assessed the exemption set out in entry 5(b) of Annex II to Directive 2000/53/EC regarding lead in batteries for battery applications not included in entry 5(a) of that Annex, which concerns batteries in high voltage systems, in view of technical and scientific progress. This assessment led to the conclusion that the use of lead in batteries for battery applications not included in entry 5(a) of Annex II to Directive 2000/53/EC can be avoided for some applications but not for batteries used in 12 V applications.
The public consultation and the draft Delegated Directive can be accessed HERE.