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What are the ELV exemptions? 

Directive 2000/53/EC - ELV
Directive 2011/37/EU - Annex II

Exemptions to the ELV directive are granted only if the use of lead, mercury, cadmium or hexavalent chromium is considered unavoidable. Approved exemptions are listed in Annex II.

The directive requires that Annex II be "amended on a regular basis, according to technical and scientific progress" (commonly referred to as Adaptation to Technical Progress or ATP).  The annex was amended in 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010 and March 2011. The most recent amendments made the exemptions for lead in galvanized steel and glass-ceramics more specific. Some exemptions also added expiration dates, labeling requirements or ATP review dates.

Current ELV exemptions are listed in the table below:

  Description of Exemption: Scope & Expiration: Label:

LEAD AS AN ALLOYING AGENT

1a Steel for machining purposes and batch hot dip galvanized steel components containing up to 0.35% lead by weight    
1b Continuously galvanized steel sheet containing up to 0.35% lead by weight Vehicles type approved before Jan 1, 2016 and spare parts for same  
2a Aluminum for machining purposes with a
lead content up to 2% by weight

Spare parts for vehicles put on the market before July 1, 2005

 
2b Aluminum with a lead content up to 1.5% by weight Spare parts for vehicles put on the market before July 1, 2008  
2c Aluminum with a lead content up to 0.4% by weight [review in 2015]

 

3 Copper alloy containing up to 4% lead by weight [review in 2015]  
4a Bearing shells and bushes Spare parts for vehicles put on the market before July 1, 2008  
4b Bearing shells and bushes in engines, transmissions and air conditioning compressors July 1, 2011 (thereafter, spare parts for vehicles put on the market before July 1, 2011)  

LEAD & LEAD COMPOUNDS IN COMPONENTS

5 Batteries [review in 2015] Yes
6 Vibration dampers Vehicles type approved before Jan 1, 2016 and spare parts for same Yes
7a Vulcanizing agents & stabilizers for elastomers in brake hoses, fuel hoses, air ventilation hoses, elastomer/metal parts in chassis applications, and engine mountings Spare parts for vehicles put on the market before July 1, 2005  
7b Vulcanizing agents & stabilizers for elastomers in brake hoses, fuel hoses, air ventilation hoses, elastomer/metal parts in chassis applications, and engine mountings containing up to 0.5% lead by weight Spare parts for vehicles put on the market before July 1, 2006  
7c Bonding agents for elastomers in powertrain applications containing up to 0.5% lead by weight Spare parts for vehicles put on the market before July 1, 2009  
8a Lead in solders to attach electrical and electronic components to electronic circuit boards; lead in finishes on terminations of components (other than electrolyte aluminum capacitors), on component pins and on electronic circuit boards Vehicles type approved before Jan 1, 2016 and spare parts for same Yes
8b Lead in solders in electrical applications other than soldering on electronic circuit boards or on glass Vehicles type approved before Jan 1, 2011 and spare parts for same Yes
8c Lead in finishes on terminals
of electrolyte aluminum capacitors
Vehicles type approved before Jan 1, 2013 and spare parts for same  
8d Lead used in soldering on glass in mass airflow sensors Vehicles type approved before Jan 1, 2015 and spare parts for same  
8e Lead in high melting temperature type solders (lead-based alloys containing 85% by weight or more lead) [review in 2014] Yes
8f Lead in compliant pin connector systems [review in 2014] Yes
8g Lead in solders to complete a viable electrical connection between semiconductor die and carrier within integrated circuit flip chip packages [review in 2014] Yes
8h Lead in solder to attach heat spreaders to the heat sink in power semiconductor assemblies (chip size at least 1 cm2 of projection area; nominal current density of at least 1 A/mm2 of silicon chip area) [review in 2014] Yes
8i Lead in solders in electrical glazing applications on glass except for
soldering in laminated glazing
Vehicles type approved before Jan 1, 2013 and spare parts for same [review before Jan 2012] Yes
8j Lead in solders for soldering in
laminated glazing
[review in 2014] Yes
9 Valve seats Spare parts for engine types developed before July 1, 2003  
10a Electrical and electronic components which contain lead in a glass or ceramic matrix compound, in a glass-ceramic material, or in a glass-ceramic matrix compound.
Does not cover use of lead in:
Glass in bulbs and glaze of spark plugs
Dielectric ceramic materials of components in 10b, 10c and 10d
  Yes, except engine piezos
10b Lead in PZT based dielectric ceramic materials of capacitors being part of integrated circuits or discrete semiconductors    
10c Lead in dielectric ceramic materials of capacitors with a rated voltage of less than 125V AC or 250V DC Vehicles type approved before Jan 1, 2016 and spare parts for same  
10d Lead in the dielectric ceramic materials of capacitors compensating the temperature-related deviations of sensors in ultrasonic sonar systems [review in 2014]  
11 Pyrotechnic initiators Vehicles type-approved before July 1, 2006 and spare parts for same  
12 Lead-containing thermoelectric materials in automotive electrical applications to reduce CO2 emissions by recuperation of exhaust heat Vehicles type-approved before Jan 1, 2019 and spare parts for same Yes

HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM

13a Corrosion preventive coatings Spare parts for vehicles put on the market before July 1, 2007  
13b Corrosion preventive coatings related to bolt and nut assemblies for chassis applications Spare parts for vehicles put on the market before July 1, 2008  
14 As an anti-corrosion agent of the carbon steel cooling system in absorption refrigerators in motor-caravans up to 0.75 weigh -% in the cooling solution except where the use of other cooling technologies is practicable (i.e. available on the market) and does not lead to negative environmental, health and/or consumer safety impacts   Yes

MERCURY

15a Discharge lamps for headlight application Vehicles type approved before July 1, 2012 and spare parts for same Yes
15b Fluorescent tubes used in instrument panel displays Vehicles type approved before July 1, 2012 and spare parts for same Yes

CADMIUM

16 Batteries for electrical vehicles Spare parts for vehicles put on the market before Dec 31, 2008  
   
This summary of ELV exemptions is designed to provide you with an accurate, easy-to-understand overview of the topic. However:
ê We have not attempted to cover the implementation issues that need to be addressed at your company or in your supply chain. For this type of assistance, please email or call us at 972-679-8996 to inquire about our services.
ê This summary does not constitute legal advice. The actual standard in the original language should be reviewed and used for all business, legal, and product compliance purposes.

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