BRUSSELS – The Council of the European Union revised the directive on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, extending protection from dangerous chemicals to more electrical appliances, and improving the safety of products such as mobile phones, refrigerators and electronic toys.

First adopted in 2003, the law bans six hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, including lead, mercury and cadmium.

The review extends the scope of the ban to more products, now in principle applying to all electrical and electronic equipment, as well as to cables and spare parts.

Monitoring and control devices and medical devices will be covered in three years, in vitro medical devices in five years, and industrial control appliances in six years.

The new law obliges the commission to regularly review and adapt the list of restricted substances according to a number of criteria; further substances in electrical and electronic equipment may be banned in the future.

Photovoltaic panels to produce energy from solar light do not have to comply with the restriction. Energy-saving light bulbs are also temporarily exempted from the directive.

The revised act will enter into force shortly after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU and must be transposed into national law within 18 months.