On July 11, 2023, the European Commission issued Directive (EU) 2023/1437, which added an exemption clause 49 on mercury in Annex IV of the EU RoHS Directive. The directive came into effect on the 20th day after its publication.

The European Commission has previously received an exemption application for "mercury in pressure sensors used in capillary Rheometer". After assessment, the application meets the relevant conditions of EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU exemption. Therefore, the following items are inserted in Annex IV of the Directive:

EU RoHS Directive Exemption Rules

Maximum Exemption Period Rule -2011/65/EU Article 5 (2)

For the exemptions listed in Annex III on July 21, 2011, for products in categories 1-7.10 and 11 in Annex I, the maximum exemption period is 5 years, and for products in categories 8 and 9, the maximum exemption period is 7 years, unless a shorter period is specified.

For the exemptions listed in Annex IV on July 21, 2011, the maximum exemption period is 7 years, unless a shorter period is specified.

Exemption Extension Application Rules -2011/65/EU Article 5 (5)

The application for renewal should be submitted 18 months before the expiration of the exemption period. The existing exemptions will remain valid until the updated decision is made.

Exemption from Revocation Transition Period Rules -2011/65/EU Article 5 (6)

When an exemption application is refused or an exemption is revoked, the validity period of the exemption shall expire at the earliest within 12 months from the date of the decision, and at the latest within 18 months from the date of the decision.