Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)

Netherlands Reports Q1 2026 Implementation Status of Key EU Chemicals and HSE Directives

In May 2026 the Dutch government reported Q1 2026 progress and delays in implementing several EU directives on waste electronics, RoHS lead exemptions, dangerous goods transport and asbestos exposure at work. These updates confirm retroactive and upcoming national measures and highlight infringement risks, signalling tighter compliance expectations for electronics, transport and construction supply chains in the Netherlands.

23 May 2026, 09:14zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

EEA Joint Committee Decision 24/2026 Incorporates RoHS Lead Exemption Directives Into Annex II to the EEA Agreement

EEA Joint Committee Decision 24/2026, published on 21 May 2026, incorporates three EU RoHS delegated directives granting specific lead-use exemptions into Annex II of the EEA Agreement. This aligns electrical and electronic equipment substance restriction requirements in EEA EFTA States with the latest EU RoHS regime, giving manufacturers access to the same lead exemptions and influencing materials and compliance planning.

23 May 2026, 08:47eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Economic AreaEuropean Union

EEA Incorporates EU RoHS Lead Exemption for Glass and Ceramic Components

The EEA Joint Committee has brought Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2025/2363, which renews and restructures RoHS lead exemptions for glass and ceramic components in electrical and electronic equipment, into the EEA Agreement. Electronics manufacturers selling into the EU and EEA now have harmonised but time-limited exemptions ending in 2027, and should plan substitution and redesign of affected leaded glass and ceramic parts within this window.

23 May 2026, 08:47eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

EU Publishes 01 July 2026 Consolidated RoHS Directive With Updated Lead Exemptions

The EU has released a consolidated 1 July 2026 version of the RoHS Directive that integrates recent lead-related exemptions and new ECHA-based procedures for RoHS substance reviews. This confirms time-limited lead exemptions in Annex III and a shift to centralised, REACH-style RoHS decision-making from 2027, so electronics manufacturers should align redesign plans and exemption strategies with the 2026–2027 timeline.

21 May 2026, 06:38eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

Croatia Amends RoHS Lead Exemptions and Bans Misuse of Nitrous Oxide

In May 2026 Croatia published NN 49/2026, amending its RoHS ordinance to align lead exemptions with new EU deadlines and introducing a national order banning misuse of nitrous oxide in products, with application from June–July 2026. EEE manufacturers and importers must plan for tighter lead-use sunset dates while distributors and users of N₂O-containing products face stronger controls and enforcement risk around uses outside manufacturers’ intended purposes.

15 May 2026, 16:30narodne-novine.nn.hrCroatia

Sweden KEMI Reports One Third of Inspected Home Electronics Contain Banned Substances

In May 2026 Sweden’s Chemicals Agency published enforcement results showing that about 30 percent of 209 low-cost home electronics products inspected in 2025 contained banned substances such as lead, short-chain chlorinated paraffins and the phthalates DEHP and DBP. The findings highlight persistent compliance gaps under RoHS, REACH and POPs, signalling that importers and distributors must strengthen supplier controls, testing and documentation rather than relying on CE marking to avoid enforcement risk.

12 May 2026, 15:40kemi.seSweden

EU Commission Confirms No Review of Expired Mercury Lamp Phase-Out Dates

In May 2026 the European Commission confirmed, in an answer to a European Parliament question, that it will not revisit the expired phase-out dates for importing, exporting and manufacturing mercury-containing general lighting lamps under the RoHS Directive and the revised EU Mercury Regulation. This closes the door to deadline extensions and reinforces that lighting and electronics manufacturers must complete phase-out and redesign plans based on the existing RoHS exemption expiries and the linked mercury product bans.

9 May 2026, 19:00europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Ireland Adopts RoHS Amendment Regulations 2026 (SI 110/2026) Implementing New EU Lead Exemptions

In March 2026 Ireland adopted Statutory Instrument 110/2026 amending its RoHS regulations to implement new EU lead exemptions for certain electrical and electronic equipment applications. This update aligns Irish RoHS law with recent EU annex changes, so compliance teams must reassess affected product lines and documentation to manage lead-use risks while taking advantage of the revised exemptions.

8 May 2026, 06:42irishstatutebook.ieIrelandEuropean Union

Brazil MDIC Urges Non-Approval of CONAMA Draft RoHS Resolution in Light of Law No. 15.022/2024

In April 2026, Brazil’s industry ministry formally asked the national environment council (CONAMA) not to approve its draft RoHS-style resolution and instead handle hazardous-substance restrictions in electronics through the new chemicals framework created by Law No. 15.022/2024. This makes near-term adoption of Brazil RoHS unlikely and shifts future obligations and timing to how and when the government implements Law No. 15.022/2024, particularly the creation and operation of the Chemical Substances Deliberative Committee.

5 May 2026, 10:52conama.mma.gov.brBrazil

EU Parliament First-Reading Resolution Transferring RoHS Scientific and Technical Tasks to ECHA

In October 2025 the European Parliament adopted its first‑reading resolution to amend the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU so that scientific and technical tasks are transferred to the European Chemicals Agency, with the text now published in the Official Journal. This institutional shift consolidates RoHS technical assessments within ECHA, signalling more harmonised chemicals decision-making for electrical and electronic equipment and likely process changes for manufacturers engaging with EU restriction procedures.

3 May 2026, 14:31eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Finland Adopts Decree 148/2026 Updating RoHS Decree 419/2013 Annex I

Finland has adopted Decree 148/2026 updating Annex I of its RoHS Decree 419/2013, aligning national exemptions for lead, cadmium and mercury in electrical and electronic equipment with new EU RoHS delegated directives, with the changes taking effect from 1 July 2026. EEE manufacturers and importers placing products on the Finnish market should reassess any use of RoHS exemptions in lamps and specialised equipment, and adjust designs, component sourcing and documentation ahead of the 2026 entry-into-force to avoid reliance on lapsed derogations.

29 Apr 2026, 08:08eur-lex.europa.euFinland

Bulgaria Updates RoHS Lead Exemptions and Deadlines (Order RD-709-1)

In March 2026 Bulgaria’s environment ministry adopted Order RD-709-1 to align its RoHS implementation with three new EU delegated directives, extending and refining key lead exemptions for electrical and electronic equipment and setting revised expiry dates between late 2026 and the end of 2027. EEE and component manufacturers must reassess their use of lead in steels, aluminium and copper alloys, high-temperature solders, and glass/ceramic parts and plan product redesigns or substitution ahead of the staged national phase-out dates starting in 2026.

14 Apr 2026, 18:14dv.parliament.bgBulgaria

Ukraine Proposes Amendments to RoHS-Like EEE Technical Regulation (G/TBT/N/UKR/377)

Ukraine has notified a draft resolution to amend its RoHS-like technical regulation for electrical and electronic equipment, extending certain exemption periods and adding new exemptions aligned with EU Directive 2011/65/EU, with comments due by 6 June 2026. This signals ongoing convergence with EU RoHS, so EEE manufacturers and suppliers into Ukraine should reassess which products may benefit from extended or new exemptions and plan engagement ahead of adoption expected around August 2026.

13 Apr 2026, 17:19members.wto.orgUkraine

Luxembourg Publishes Notice on EU RoHS Lead Exemptions Directive 2025/2364

Luxembourg has formally adopted updated EU RoHS lead-in-alloy exemptions for steel, aluminium, and copper, aligning with the 2026-2027 phase-out schedule. Manufacturers must audit material specifications and accelerate substitution plans to mitigate market access risks as these critical exemptions expire.

10 Apr 2026, 13:07eur-lex.europa.euLuxembourg

EU Commission Clarifies RoHS Exemptions Procedure and Timeframes

The European Commission has formalized RoHS exemption renewal procedures, mandating an 18-month lead time for applications and clarifying the 24-month decision cycle. Businesses must integrate these rigid administrative timelines into product lifecycle planning to mitigate the risk of sudden market access loss or forced substitution.

1 Apr 2026, 14:20environment.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Parliament ENVI Committee Drafts Opinion Amending Product Directives (Including RoHS) on Digitalisation and Common Specifications

The European Parliament is advancing amendments to digitalize compliance documentation and harmonize technical specifications across thirteen major product directives including RoHS and ATEX. This transition toward digital conformity data will require manufacturers to modernize product information systems and prepare for standardized digital labeling across multiple regulatory frameworks.

1 Apr 2026, 14:15eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Norway Consults on Extending RoHS Lead Exemptions in Product Regulations Chapter 2a

Norway is aligning national product regulations with EU RoHS updates to restructure and extend lead exemptions for alloys, solders, and ceramics through 2027. Companies must transition to more granular sub-exemptions and monitor revised expiry dates to maintain compliance and market access for electronic equipment.

26 Mar 2026, 11:48miljodirektoratet.noNorway

Brazil Moves RoHS-Style Draft Resolution for Electrical and Electronic Equipment Into Final CONAMA Deliberations

Brazil is finalizing a RoHS-style resolution to restrict ten hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, with adoption expected following recent plenary deliberations. Manufacturers must prepare for EU-aligned substance limits, mandatory technical dossiers, and a new national registry, requiring immediate supply chain verification and compliance documentation.

21 Mar 2026, 19:26gov.brBrazil

IEC 62474 Updates DSL to Version D32.00 and Aligns EU RoHS Annex III Exemptions

The IEC 62474 standard was updated in March 2026 to include new REACH SVHCs and PFHxA restrictions while aligning with revised EU RoHS lead exemptions. Compliance teams should update material declaration templates and supplier reporting requirements to ensure product documentation remains valid under evolving European chemical regulations.

20 Mar 2026, 12:44std.iec.chEuropean Union

EU Commission Proposes Delegated Regulation Amending Taxonomy Environmental Delegated Act (EU) 2023/2486

The European Commission has proposed a draft regulation to simplify EU Taxonomy technical screening criteria, targeting a January 2027 application. By aligning 'Do No Significant Harm' (DNSH) requirements with existing chemical and sectoral laws, the proposal aims to reduce the administrative burden for reporting entities while clarifying compliance pathways for sustainable activities.

19 Mar 2026, 19:20eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union