Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/1011Show full title

Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/1011

of 15 March 2017

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 white glasses used for optical applications

(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:

(1) Directive 2011/65/EU prohibits the use of lead in electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market.

(2) Lead-based glasses are used because they have unique combinations of properties and characteristics, such as light transmission performance, optical dispersion, thermal conductivity, birefringence and others.

(3) Lead-free optical glasses of alternative designs exist in the form of lead-free glass, plastic lenses and alternative equipment design. Nonetheless, those alternatives that cannot provide for several properties and their combinations comparable to lead-based glasses.

(4) Where finding substitutes was relatively straightforward, this has already occurred and substitutes are being used. Alternatives for the remaining applications are still not available. Thus substitution for the full application range is not possible in general. Lead in white glasses used for optical applications should therefore be exempted until 21 July 2021 for categories 1 to 7 and 10. In view of the innovation cycles for this type of optical 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:

(1)

OJ L 174, 1.7.2011, p. 88.