Mercury in other discharge lamps for special purposes

Overview

The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 (RoHS regulations) restricts the use of 10 hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), with a view to contributing to the protection of human health and the environment, including the sound recovery and disposal of waste.

Industry can apply for exemptions to allow the supply of products using one or more of the restricted substances above the threshold limits set down in the RoHS regulations where specified criteria are met. Applications for exemptions are made to the Secretary of State under regulation 6 of the Hazardous Substances and Packaging (Legislative Functions and Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (2020 regulations). Any exemption that is granted can be used across industry, not just by the business that applied for the exemption. Exemptions are granted where it is determined that the necessary criteria have been met following a detailed evaluation conducted in accordance with regulation 5 of the 2020 regulations.

Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the function of granting, renewing and revoking exemptions were, in relation to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), transferred to the Secretary of State by the 2020 regulations, using powers in section 8 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (Withdrawal Act).

Part of the evaluation process is an 8-week consultation to collect contributions from stakeholders.

A request for renewal for an exemption was submitted for use of mercury in discharge lamps for special purposes that are not covered by other exemptions listed in the exemptions table. Mercury is a required substance in these lamps due to the unique properties of low boiling point and ability to emit the required visible wavelengths of light. The uses for these lamps include entertainment lighting for stage performances and flight simulators. Alternative technologies highlighted by the applicant are LED lighting and laser lighting, neither of which provide all the properties required in the applications (more detail is provided below).

The requested duration of the exemption renewal is 5 years and according to the application it would be expected to lead to the introduction of less than 1kg of mercury to the Great Britain (GB) market annually.

Exemption wording and scope:

Mercury in other discharge lamps for special purposes not specifically mentioned in another entry in this Table. Category 9ind and 11.