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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:
(1) Directive 2011/65/EU prohibits the use of lead in electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market.
(2) Lead is used in bearings of refrigerant compressors hermetically sealed to prevent leakage of the refrigerant. Lead provides low friction in the bearing by acting as a solid lubricant in case of inadequate lubrication.
(3) Though lead-free bearings are viable, they still cannot reliably substitute lead bearings for the refrigerant-containing compressors with a stated electrical power input of 9 kW or lower.
(4) Lead in bearing shells and bushes for refrigerant-containing hermetic scroll compressors with a stated electrical power input equal or below 9 kW for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) applications should therefore be exempted until 21 July 2019. In view of the innovation cycles for HVACR applications, the duration of this exemption is unlikely to have adverse impacts on innovation.
(5) Directive 2011/65/EU should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: