# RoHS Directive (restriction of hazardous substances in EEE)

Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2011 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (recast)

- Status: In force
- Legal order: European Union
- Legal area: Products and producer responsibility
- OJ L 174, 1.07.2011, p. 88, as amended
- Business profile: Smelting, Semi-fabrication, Product manufacturers

## In brief

Limits for lead (0.1%) and cadmium (0.01%) in homogeneous materials of EEE; exemptions for lead as an alloying element in steel, aluminium and copper alloys (Annex III, point 6).

## Key obligations

- EEE placed on the market must not contain the substances listed in Annex II above the maximum concentrations (Pb 0.1%, Cd 0.01% by weight) (Art. 4(1))
- Copper alloy up to 4% Pb – exemption 6c expires on 30.06.2027 (Annex III, point 6c as worded by Delegated Directive 2025/2364)
- Aluminium up to 0.4% Pb – exemption 6b expires on 11.06.2027; 6b-I (Pb from recycled Al scrap) – 11.12.2026 for categories 1–7 and 10 (Annex III)
- Steel for machining and galvanised steel up to 0.35% Pb – exemption 6a expires on 11.12.2026; 6a-I and 6a-II – 30.06.2027 (Annex III)

## Competent authority

In PL – market surveillance authorities (inter alia the Inspection for Environmental Protection) under the national provisions implementing the Directive

## Penalties

Member States lay down penalties (Art. 23).

## Entry into force

21.07.2011

## Application

in force; new wording of exemptions 6a–6c (Delegated Directive (EU) 2025/2364) applicable from 2026-07-01

## Key dates

- 01.07.2026: application of the new exemptions for lead in steel, aluminium and copper (Delegated Directive 2025/2364, Art. 2)
- 11.12.2026: expiry of exemptions 6a and 6b-I (categories 1–7, 10)
- 11.06.2027: expiry of exemptions 6b and 6b-II (categories 1–7, 10)
- 30.06.2027: expiry of exemptions 6a-I, 6a-II, 6b-III and 6c (copper alloy up to 4% Pb)

## Related acts

- [WEEE Directive (waste electrical and electronic equipment)](https://igmnir.org/dane/prawo/en/eu-weee/)
- [Act on waste electrical and electronic equipment](https://igmnir.org/dane/prawo/en/pl-zsee/)

## Official sources

- [Text of the act](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/65/oj/pol)
- [Consolidated text](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/PL/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02011L0065-20260701)
- [EUR-Lex – Delegated Directive (EU) 2025/2364 (ELI)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir_del/2025/2364/oj/pol)

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Register as of: 22.10.2026. The official text of the act prevails. IGMNiR. On the website: https://igmnir.org/en/law/#akt-eu-rohs