COMMISSION DECISION  
of 24 September 2010  
amending, for the purposes of adapting to scientific and technical progress, the Annex to Directive 
2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards exemptions for applications 
containing lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls or 
polybrominated diphenyl ethers  
(notified under document C(2010) 6403)  
(Text with EEA relevance)  
(2010/571/EU)  
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,  
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European 
Union,  
Having regard to Directive 2002/95/EC of the European 
Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on the 
restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in elec ­
trical and electronic equipment (  1 ), and in particular Article 5(1) 
thereof,  
Whereas:  
(1) Directive 2002/95/EC prohibits the use of lead, mercury, 
cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated 
biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers 
(PBDE) in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) put 
on the market after 1 July 2006. Exemptions from that 
prohibition are listed in the Annex to that Directive. 
Those exemptions need to be reviewed in order to 
adapt them to scientific and technical progress.  
(2) As a result of the review of the exemptions, certain 
applications containing lead, mercury, cadmium or 
hexavalent chromium should continue to be exempted 
from the prohibition since the elimination of these 
hazardous substances in those specific applications is 
still scientifically or technically impracticable. It is 
therefore appropriate to maintain those exemptions.  
(3) As a result of the review of the exemptions, for certain 
applications containing lead, mercury, or cadmium the 
elimination or substitution of the use of those substances 
has become scientifically or technically possible. It is 
therefore appropriate to delete those exemptions.  
(4) As a result of the review of the exemptions, for certain 
applications containing lead, mercury or cadmium, the 
elimination or substitution of the use of those substances 
will become scientifically or technically possible in the 
foreseeable future. It is therefore appropriate to set expiry 
dates for those exemptions.  (5) As a result of the review of the exemptions, for certain 
applications containing mercury, partial elimination or 
substitution of the use of that substance is scientifically 
or technically possible. It is therefore appropriate to 
reduce the amount of mercury that may be used in 
those applications.  
(6) As a result of the review of the exemptions, for certain 
applications containing mercury, in the foreseeable future 
only the partial and gradual elimination or substitution 
of the use of that substance is scientifically or technically 
possible. It is therefore appropriate to gradually reduce 
the amount of mercury that may be used in those 
applications.  
(7) In certain cases it is technically impossible to repair EEE 
with spare parts other than original ones. Therefore, in 
those cases only, the use of spare parts containing lead, 
mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, or poly ­
brominated diphenyl ethers, which benefited from an 
exemption, should be allowed in the repair of EEE, 
which was placed on the market before that exemption 
expired or was terminated.  
(8) Commission Regulation (EC) No 244/2009 of 18 March 
2009 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the 
European Parliament and of the Council with regard to 
ecodesign requirements for non-directional household 
lamps (  2 ) and Commission Regulation (EC) No 
245/2009 of 18 March 2009 implementing Directive 
2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the 
Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for fluor ­
escent lamps without integrated ballast, for high intensity 
discharge lamps, and for ballasts and 
luminaires able to operate such lamps, and repealing 
Directive 2000/55/EC of the European Parliament and 
of the Council (  3 ) provide for indicative benchmarks as 
concerns the use of mercury in lamps. Although the 
mercury content of lamps was identified as a significant 
environmental parameter in Regulations (EC) No 
244/2009 and (EC) No 245/2009, it was considered 
more appropriate to regulate it in Directive 2002/95/EC, 
which covers also lamp types exempted from those 
regulations.EN L 251/28 Official Journal of the European Union 25.9.2010  
( 1 ) OJ L 37, 13.2.2003, p. 19.  ( 2 ) OJ L 76, 24.3.2009, p. 3.  
( 3 ) OJ L 76, 24.3.2009, p. 17.(9) As a result of the analysis undertaken for measures laid 
down in Regulation (EC) No 244/2009, for certain appli ­
cations containing mercury, partial elimination or substi ­
tution of the use of this substance is scientifically or 
technically possible without negative environmental, 
health and/or consumer safety impacts that outweigh 
the benefits of substitution. It is therefore appropriate 
to reduce the mercury content for those applications in 
line with Regulation (EC) No 244/2009.  
(10) It is necessary to make substantial changes to the Annex 
to Directive 2002/95/EC. Therefore, for reasons of 
clarity, the whole Annex should be replaced.  
(11) Pursuant to Article 5(2) of Directive 2002/95/EC, the 
Commission has consulted the relevant parties.  
(12) Directive 2002/95/EC should therefore be amended 
accordingly.  (13) The measures provided for in this Decision are in 
accordance with the opinion of the Committee estab ­
lished by Article 18 of Directive 2006/12/EC of the 
European Parliament and of the Council (  1 ), 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:  
Article 1  
The Annex to Directive 2002/95/EC is replaced by the text set 
out in the Annex to this Decision.  
Article 2  
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.  
Done at Brussels, 24 September 2010.  
For the Commission  
Janez POTO ČNIK 
Member of the CommissionEN 25.9.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 251/29  
( 1 ) OJ L 114, 27.4.2006, p. 9.ANNEX  
‘ANNEX  
Applications exempted from the prohibition in Article 4(1)  
Exemption  Scope and dates of applicability  
1 Mercury in single capped (compact) fluorescent lamps not 
exceeding (per burner):  
1(a) For general lighting purposes < 30 W: 5 mg  Expires on 31 December 2011; 3,5 mg 
may be used per burner after 
31 December 2011 until 31 December 
2012; 2,5 mg shall be used per burner 
after 31 December 2012  
1(b)  For general lighting purposes ≥ 30 W and < 50 W: 5 mg  Expires on 31 December 2011; 3,5 mg 
may be used per burner after 
31 December 2011  
1(c) For general lighting purposes ≥ 50 W and ≤ 150 W: 5 mg  
1(d)  For general lighting purposes ≥ 150 W: 15 mg  
1(e) For general lighting purposes with circular or square 
structural shape and tube diameter < 17 mm  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 7 mg may be used per burner after 
31 December 2011  
1(f) For special purposes: 5 mg  
2(a) Mercury in double-capped linear fluorescent lamps for 
general lighting purposes not exceeding (per lamp):  
2(a)(1)  Tri-band phosphor with normal lifetime and a tube 
diameter > 9 mm (e.g. T2): 5 mg  Expires on 31 December 2011; 4 mg may 
be used per lamp after 31 December 2011  
2(a)(2)  Tri-band phosphor with normal lifetime and a tube 
diameter ≥ 9 mm and ≥ 17 mm (e.g. T5): 5 mg  Expires on 31 December 2011; 3 mg may 
be used per lamp after 31 December 2011  
2(a)(3)  Tri-band phosphor with normal lifetime and a tube 
diameter ≥ 17 mm and ≤ 28 mm (e.g. T8): 5 mg  Expires on 31 December 2011; 3,5 mg 
may be used per lamp after 31 December 
2011  
2(a)(4)  Tri-band phosphor with normal lifetime and a tube 
diameter > 28 mm (e.g. T12): 5 mg  Expires on 31 December 2012; 3,5 mg 
may be used per lamp after 31 December 
2012  
2(a)(5)  Tri-band phosphor with long lifetime ( ≥ 25 000 h): 8 mg  Expires on 31 December 2011; 5 mg may 
be used per lamp after 31 December 2011  
2(b)  Mercury in other fluorescent lamps not exceeding (per 
lamp):  
2(b)(1)  Linear halophosphate lamps with tube > 28 mm (e.g. T10 
and T12): 10 mg  Expires on 13 April 2012  
2(b)(2)  Non-linear halophosphate lamps (all diameters): 15 mg  Expires on 13 April 2016EN L 251/30 Official Journal of the European Union 25.9.2010Exemption  Scope and dates of applicability  
2(b)(3)  Non-linear tri-band phosphor lamps with tube diameter 
> 17 mm (e.g. T9)  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 15 mg may be used per lamp after 
31 December 2011  
2(b)(4)  Lamps for other general lighting and special purposes 
(e.g. induction lamps)  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 15 mg may be used per lamp after 
31 December 2011  
3 Mercury in cold cathode fluorescent lamps and external 
electrode fluorescent lamps (CCFL and EEFL) for special 
purposes not exceeding (per lamp):  
3(a) Short length ( ≥ 500 mm)  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 3,5 mg may be used per lamp after 
31 December 2011  
3(b)  Medium length (> 500 mm and < 1 500 mm)  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 5 mg may be used per lamp after 
31 December 2011  
3(c) Long length (> 1 500 mm)  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 13 mg may be used per lamp after 
31 December 2011  
4(a) Mercury in other low pressure discharge lamps (per lamp)  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 15 mg may be used per lamp after 
31 December 2011  
4(b)  Mercury in High Pressure Sodium (vapour) lamps for general 
lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner) in lamps with 
improved colour rendering index Ra > 60:  
4(b)-I  P < 155 W  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 30 mg may be used per burner 
after 31 December 2011  
4(b)-II  155 W < P < 405 W  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 40 mg may be used per burner 
after 31 December 2011  
4(b)-III  P > 405 W  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 40 mg may be used per burner 
after 31 December 2011  
4(c) Mercury in other High Pressure Sodium (vapour) lamps for 
general lighting purposes not exceeding (per burner):  
4(c)-I  P < 155 W  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 25 mg may be used per burner 
after 31 December 2011  
4(c)-II  155 W < P < 405 W  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 30 mg may be used per burner 
after 31 December 2011  
4(c)-III  P > 405 W  No limitation of use until 31 December 
2011; 40 mg may be used per burner 
after 31 December 2011  
4(d)  Mercury in High Pressure Mercury (vapour) lamps (HPMV)  Expires on 13 April 2015  
4(e) Mercury in metal halide lamps (MH)EN 25.9.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 251/31Exemption  Scope and dates of applicability  
4(f) Mercury in other discharge lamps for special purposes not 
specifically mentioned in this Annex  
5(a) Lead in glass of cathode ray tubes  
5(b)  Lead in glass of fluorescent tubes not exceeding 0,2 % by 
weight  
6(a) Lead as an alloying element in steel for machining purposes 
and in galvanized steel containing up to 0,35 % lead by 
weight  
6(b)  Lead as an alloying element in aluminium containing up to 
0,4 % lead by weight  
6(c) Copper alloy containing up to 4 % lead by weight  
7(a) Lead in high melting temperature type solders (i.e. lead- 
based alloys containing 85 % by weight or more lead)  
7(b)  Lead in solders for servers, storage and storage array 
systems, network infrastructure equipment for switching, 
signalling, transmission, and network management for 
telecommunications  
7(c)-I  Electrical and electronic components containing lead in a 
glass or ceramic other than dielectric ceramic in capacitors, 
e.g. piezoelectronic devices, or in a glass or ceramic matrix 
compound  
7(c)-II  Lead in dielectric ceramic in capacitors for a rated voltage of 
125 V AC or 250 V DC or higher  
7(c)-III  Lead in dielectric ceramic in capacitors for a rated voltage of 
less than 125 V AC or 250 V DC  Expires on 1 January 2013 and after that 
date may be used in spare parts for EEE 
placed on the market before 1 January 
2013  
8(a) Cadmium and its compounds in one shot pellet type 
thermal cut-offs  Expires on 1 January 2012 and after that 
date may be used in spare parts for EEE 
placed on the market before 1 January 
2012  
8(b)  Cadmium and its compounds in electrical contacts  
9 Hexavalent chromium as an anticorrosion agent of the 
carbon steel cooling system in absorption refrigerators up 
to 0,75 % by weight in the cooling solution  
9(b)  Lead in bearing shells and bushes for refrigerant-containing 
compressors for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and 
refrigeration (HVACR) applications  
11(a)  Lead used in C-press compliant pin connector systems  May be used in spare parts for EEE placed 
on the market before 24 September 2010  
11(b)  Lead used in other than C-press compliant pin connector 
systems  Expires on 1 January 2013 and after that 
date may be used in spare parts for EEE 
placed on the market before 1 January 
2013EN L 251/32 Official Journal of the European Union 25.9.2010Exemption  Scope and dates of applicability  
12 Lead as a coating material for the thermal conduction 
module C-ring  May be used in spare parts for EEE placed 
on the market before 24 September 2010  
13(a)  Lead in white glasses used for optical applications  
13(b)  Cadmium and lead in filter glasses and glasses used for 
reflectance standards  
14 Lead in solders consisting of more than two elements for the 
connection between the pins and the package of micropro ­
cessors with a lead content of more than 80 % and less than 
85 % by weight  Expires on 1 January 2011 and after that 
date may be used in spare parts for EEE 
placed on the market before 1 January 
2011  
15 Lead in solders to complete a viable electrical connection 
between semiconductor die and carrier within integrated 
circuit flip chip packages  
16 Lead in linear incandescent lamps with silicate coated tubes  Expires on 1 September 2013  
17 Lead halide as radiant agent in high intensity discharge (HID) 
lamps used for professional reprography applications  
18(a)  Lead as activator in the fluorescent powder (1 % lead by 
weight or less) of discharge lamps when used as speciality 
lamps for diazoprinting reprography, lithography, insect 
traps, photochemical and curing processes containing 
phosphors such as SMS ((Sr,Ba)  2 MgSi  2 O 7 :Pb) Expires on 1 January 2011  
18(b)  Lead as activator in the fluorescent powder (1 % lead by 
weight or less) of discharge lamps when used as sun 
tanning lamps containing phosphors such as BSP 
(BaSi  2 O 5 :Pb) 
19 Lead with PbBiSn-Hg and PbInSn-Hg in specific 
compositions as main amalgam and with PbSn-Hg as 
auxiliary amalgam in very compact energy saving lamps 
(ESL)  Expires on 1 June 2011  
20 Lead oxide in glass used for bonding front and rear 
substrates of flat fluorescent lamps used for Liquid Crystal 
Displays (LCDs)  Expires on 1 June 2011  
21 Lead and cadmium in printing inks for the application of 
enamels on glasses, such as borosilicate and soda lime 
glasses  
23 Lead in finishes of fine pitch components other than 
connectors with a pitch of 0,65 mm and less  May be used in spare parts for EEE placed 
on the market before 24 September 2010  
24 Lead in solders for the soldering to machined through hole 
discoidal and planar array ceramic multilayer capacitors  
25 Lead oxide in surface conduction electron emitter displays 
(SED) used in structural elements, notably in the seal frit and 
frit ring  
26 Lead oxide in the glass envelope of black light blue lamps  Expires on 1 June 2011  
27 Lead alloys as solder for transducers used in high-powered 
(designated to operate for several hours at acoustic power 
levels of 125 dB SPL and above) loudspeakers  Expired on 24 September 2010EN 25.9.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 251/33Exemption  Scope and dates of applicability  
29 Lead bound in crystal glass as defined in Annex I (Categories 
1, 2, 3 and 4) of Council Directive 69/493/EEC (  1 ) 
30 Cadmium alloys as electrical/mechanical solder joints to elec ­
trical conductors located directly on the voice coil in 
transducers used in high-powered loudspeakers with sound 
pressure levels of 100 dB (A) and more  
31 Lead in soldering materials in mercury free flat fluorescent 
lamps (which e.g. are used for liquid crystal displays, design 
or industrial lighting)  
32 Lead oxide in seal frit used for making window assemblies 
for Argon and Krypton laser tubes  
33 Lead in solders for the soldering of thin copper wires of 
100 μm diameter and less in power transformers  
34 Lead in cermet-based trimmer potentiometer elements  
36 Mercury used as a cathode sputtering inhibitor in DC plasma 
displays with a content up to 30 mg per display  Expired on 1 July 2010  
37 Lead in the plating layer of high voltage diodes on the basis 
of a zinc borate glass body  
38 Cadmium and cadmium oxide in thick film pastes used on 
aluminium bonded beryllium oxide  
39 Cadmium in colour converting II-VI LEDs (< 10 μg Cd per 
mm  2 of light-emitting area) for use in solid state 
illumination or display systems  Expires on 1 July 2014  
( 1 ) OJ L 326, 29.12.1969, p. 36.  
Note:  For the purposes of Article 5(1)(a) of Directive 2002/95/EC, a maximum concentration value of 0,1 % by weight in 
homogeneous materials for lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated 
diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and of 0,01 % by weight in homogeneous materials for cadmium shall be tolerated.’EN L 251/34 Official Journal of the European Union 25.9.2010