Lighting Toxics Reduction (Article 10.02) and the EU RoHS Directive

Beginning January 1, 2010, Article 10.02 prohibits the sale of general purpose lights in California if they exceed hazardous substance concentration limits set forth in European Union(EU) legislation known as the RoHS Directive(Directive 2002/95/EC). The RoHS Directive establishes allowable maximum concentrations for the following hazardous substances: mercury, lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

Article 10.02 (“Lighting Toxics Reduction”) also does the following:

• Restricts, beginning January 1, 2010, a person from manufacturing for sale in California, general purpose lights that contain levels of hazardous substances that would be prohibited by the EU pursuant to the RoHS Directive. (Health & Saf. Code § 25210.9, subd. (a).)
• Exempts high output and very high output linear fluorescent lamps greater than 32 millimeters in diameter, preheat linear fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge lamps, compact fluorescent lamps greater than nine inches in length, and state-regulated general service incandescent lamps.
• Requires manufacturers of general purpose lights that are sold or offered for sale in California to provide technical documentation upon request to DTSC demonstrating that the general purpose lights comply with the EU RoHS Directive. (Health & Saf. Code § 25210.9, subd. (h).)
• Requires manufacturers of general purpose lights to provide sellers of general purpose lights in California with certification that the lighting complies with the EU RoHS Directive, upon request. The certificate can be listed on the shipping container or on the packaging. (Health & Saf. Code § 25210.9, subd. (i).)
• Restricts, beginning January 1, 2010, a person from selling general purpose lights from manufacturers who failed to provide required documentation or certification pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 25210.9, subdivisions (h) and (i). (Health & Saf. Code § 25210.9, subd. (b)(2 & 3).)

This website summarizes California law and RoHS Directive provisions. It does not replace or supersede those laws. For the actual regulatory requirements you should consult California statutes and RoHS Directive provisions.