BRUSSELS – The European Commission issued a proposal to revise the EU’s RoHS Directive.

The proposal is expected to enter into force at the end of 2011 and links future assessment of substances under RoHS to the principles behind the EU’s REACH chemicals policy. It does not add any new substances to the restrictions list. 

However, the proposal is said to fall short of achieving scientific and regulatory consistency, according to the European Brominated Flame Retardant Industry Panel. The proposal contradicts the EU’s existing chemicals policy by restricting use of the flame retardant Deca-BDE, despite an EU risk assessment concluding there is no need for any such restriction, says EBFRIP.