On 19 May 2016, the Official Journal of the European Union revised Annex II to EU Directive for End-of-life (ELV) vehicles concerning exemptions on materials and components by publication of Commission Directive (EU) 2016/774.

Article 4(2)(a) of Directive 2000/53/EC prohibits the use of lead, mercury, cadmium or hexavalent chromium in materials and components of vehicles put on the market after 1 July 2003. Annex II to Directive 2000/53/EC lists vehicle materials and components exempted from the prohibition set out in Article 4(2)(a) thereof.

A re-assessment is required for exemptions 8(e), 8(f), 8(g), 8(h), 8(j) and 10(d) as per the previous provisions. An assessment of technical and scientific progress has demonstrated that the use of lead in the applications covered by exemptions 8(h), 8(j) and 10(d) should not be prolonged because the use of lead in these applications has become avoidable. The assessment of technical and scientific progress has also demonstrated that the use of lead in the applications covered by exemptions 8(e), 8(f) and 8(g) remains unavoidable as substitutes have not become available yet. However, since information exists on possible future lead substitutes in these applications, it is appropriate to introduce a review date allowing to establish if the use of lead in these applications can be discontinued.

Annex II to Directive 2000/53/EC is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Directive in light of the assessments. This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. C&K Testing advises vehicle businesses to deal with due care.