Commission Delegated Directive 2014/72/EU
of 13 March 2014
amending, for the purposes of adapting to technical progress, Annex III to Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards an exemption for lead in solders and termination finishes of electrical and electronic components and finishes of printed circuit boards used in ignition modules and other electrical and electronic engine control systems
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2011 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment,1 and in particular Article 5(1)(a) thereof,
Whereas:
Directive 2011/65/EU prohibits the use of lead in electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market.
Ignition modules and other electrical and electronic combustion engine control systems, which have to be mounted close to the moving parts of handheld tools and which are indispensable for the operation of the engine, are exposed to high vibrations and intense thermal stress. These harsh environmental conditions require the use of lead. Neither the substitution nor the elimination of lead in these components is technically practicable.
Manufacturers need additional time to make possible lead-free alternatives technically practicable and to demonstrate reliability. The use of lead in solders and termination finishes of electrical and electronic components and finishes of printed circuit boards used in ignition modules and other electrical and electronic engine control systems should therefore be exempted from the prohibition until 31 December 2018. This is a relatively short transition period which is unlikely to have adverse impacts on innovation.
Directive 2011/65/EU should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: