European Union (EU) has introduced a ban on the use
of halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) in plastic enclosures and stands as part
of new ecodesign legislation covering electronic displays.
From March 1, 2021 plastic enclosures and stands
used for electronic displays, such as tablets, will no longer be allowed to
contain halogenated flame retardants. This follows the issuing of Regulation
(EU) 2019/2021 on December 5, 2019. This regulation formulates the ecodesign
requirements for electronic displays under the Energy-related Products (ErP)
Directive 2009/125/EC. It also revises Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 that
covered the ecodesign requirements for the standby and off mode electric power
consumption of electrical and electronic equipment used in the home and office.
Regulation (EU) 2019/2021 details relevant
ecodesign requirements for electronic displays (including televisions,
monitors, and digital signage displays) covering aspects such as energy
efficiency, environmental protection, and material efficiency. It does not
apply to:
- Any electronic display with a screen area smaller than or equal to 100 square centimeters
- Projectors
- All-in-one video conference systems
- Medical displays
- Virtual reality headsets
- Displays integrated or to be integrated into products listed into Article 2, point 3(a) and point 4 of Directive 2012/19/EU
- Displays that are components or subassemblies of products covered by implementing measures adopted under Directive 2009/125/EU
Point 4 in section D of Annex II, entitled Material
Efficiency Requirements, imposes several obligations, including the fact that
HFRs will no longer be allowed in enclosures and standards for electronic
displays.
Further material efficiency requirements include:
- Manufacturers, importers or their authorized representatives shall ensure that joining, fastening or sealing techniques do not prevent the removal, using commonly available tools, of components needing to undergo special treatment as indicated in Directive 2012/19/EU on WEEE and in Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators, when present. The dismantling information on the product components referred to in the WEEE Directive needs to be provided as well
- Plastic components heavier than 50g shall be marked legibly by specifying the type of polymer with the appropriate standard symbols or abbreviated terms. Components containing flame retardants shall additionally be marked with the information for flame retardants. Markings on the enclosure and stand components shall be clearly visible and readable. This Regulation define ‘halogenated flame retardant’ as a flame retardant that contains any halogen
- Electronic displays with a screen panel in which concentration values of Cadmium (Cd) by weight in homogeneous materials exceed 0.01%, as defined in Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, shall be labeled with the ‘Cadmium inside’ logo. The logo shall be clearly visible,
durable, legible and indelible.
Stakeholders are
advised to now check their products comply with the new requirements before
they come into effect on March 1, 2021.
SGS Electrical and Electronic Product Services
SGS operates a global network with
localized knowledge to help companies achieve compliance with Electrical &
Electronics regulations covering equipment to be used in hazardous
environments, product safety, EMC, hazardous substances (RoHS, REACH, SVHC etc),
energy efficiency, Ecodesign, ErP, Performance and Reliability as well as with
many other consumer product related requirements. Learn more about SGS’s Electrical and Electronic Product Services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with
the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Ban on Halogenated Flame Retardants and Labelling
Requirements in EU Ecodesign Requirements for Electronic Displays SafeGuardS.
Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.
For further information contact:
Arthur Zhao
Tech support
Supervisor, EET RSTS
Tel: +86 (0)20
3213 6570
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/ee
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and
certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality
and integrity. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over
2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.