On 15 January 2016, EU submitted two directive drafts to the committee with the publication of Notification G/TBT/N/EU/335 and G/TBT/N/EU/336 to adapt to technology progress.

The drafts amended Annex IV to RoHS 2.0 (Directive 2011/65/EU) to add two exemptions as the following:

1. In Annex IV to Directive 2011/65/EU, the following point 43 is added:

Clause	Exemption	Validity
43	Cadmium anodes in Hersch cells for oxygen sensors used in industrial monitoring and control instruments, where sensitivity below 10 ppm is required.	Seven years since the effectiveness of the Directive

2. In Annex IV, point 26 is replaced by the following:

Clause	Exemption	Validity
26	Lead in the following applications that are used durably at a temperature below –20°C under normal operating and storage conditions: – (a) solders on printed circuit boards; – (b) termination coatings of electrical and electronic components and coatings of printed circuit boards; – (c) solders for connecting wires and cables; – (d) solders connecting transducers and sensors. Lead in solders of electrical connections to temperature measurement sensors in devices which are designed to be used periodically at temperatures below –150°C.	Expire on 30 June 2021.

The above drafts are expected to be approved in April 2016. The consultation period ends on the 61st day since its notification.

C&K Testing advises manufacturers to track on the changes to RoHS exemptions and look for more eco-friendly substitutes to comply with the latest requirements.