On January 26, 2023, the European Commission issued Directive (EU) 2023/171, adding an exemption clause 9 (a) - III on hexavalent chromium in Annex III.

The European Commission evaluated the exemption application submitted earlier and concluded that it was not feasible to replace hexavalent chromium in refrigerant solution in science and technology at present, and sodium chromate, the use form of other heating technologies to eliminate hexavalent chromium, could not provide the same function and performance. The gas absorption heat pump can indeed provide higher energy efficiency than the condensing boiler technology, help replace these systems and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and comply with the relevant conditions of exemption of EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. Therefore, an exemption clause 9 (a) - III on hexavalent chromium is added in Annex III.



General principles for exemption clauses

Before the expiry of the exemption clause, enterprises or industrial organizations can apply to the European Commission for extending the validity of the exemption (18 months in advance). The European Commission shall evaluate the extension application received and decide whether to extend the exemption clause.

If no relevant party applies for extension, it will automatically expire upon expiration

If enterprises or industrial organizations apply for extension, these exemptions will continue to be valid until the evaluation results are published. If the official approves the extension application, the official will give a new period of validity; If the exemption is revoked after the assessment, 12 to 18 months will be set for the transition of industry replacement materials.



It should be noted that the exemption is not always valid. Each clause of RoHS exemption has a corresponding period of validity. Enterprises should pay attention to the latest developments of RoHS exemption in real time, and pay attention to the replacement of expired exemption materials in products.