(1)

Directive 2011/65/EU requires Member States to ensure that electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market does not contain the hazardous substances listed in Annex II to that Directive. That requirement does not apply to the applications listed in Annex III to Directive 2011/65/EU.

(2)

The different categories of electrical and electronic equipment to which Directive 2011/65/EU applies are listed in Annex I to that Directive.

(3)

Lead is a restricted substance listed in Annex II to Directive 2011/65/EU. On 29 June 2017, the Commission received an application made in accordance with Article 5(3) of Directive 2011/65/EU for an exemption to be listed in Annex III to Directive 2011/65/EU, for the use of lead in solders of sensors, actuators and engine control units that are used to monitor and control engine systems including turbochargers and exhaust emission controls of internal combustion engines used in equipment that are not intended to be used solely by consumers (‘the requested exemption’).

(4)

The evaluation of the requested exemption included stakeholder consultations in accordance with Article 5(7) of Directive 2011/65/EU.

(5)

Each engine within scope of the requested exemption is equipped with specific types of sensors, actuators and engine control units that monitor and control its emissions to ensure compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2). The conditions experienced in and close to such engine and an exhaust system can be so severe in terms of elevated temperatures and vibration levels that they may cause early failure of solder bonds.

(6)

Currently, for the applications of lead covered by the requested exemption, additional time is needed for testing to ensure the reliability of available lead-free substitutes.

(7)

Due to the lack of reliable alternatives, a substitution or elimination of lead is scientifically and technically impracticable in certain combustion engines. The requested exemption is consistent with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) and thus does not weaken the environmental and health protection afforded by it.

(8)

It is, therefore, appropriate to grant the requested exemption by including the applications covered by it in Annex III to Directive 2011/65/EU with respect to electrical and electronic equipment of category 11 of Annex I to Directive 2011/65/EU.

(9)

The exemption should be granted for the maximum validity period of 5 years starting from 22 July 2019, in accordance with Article 4(3) and the first subparagraph of Article 5(2) of Directive 2011/65/EU. In view of the results of the ongoing efforts to find a reliable substitution, the duration of the exemption is unlikely to have adverse impacts on innovation.

(10)

Directive 2011/65/EU should therefore be amended accordingly,