According to the current RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU and its amendments), the limit for mercury is: a maximum allowable concentration of 0.1% (1000 ppm) by weight in any homogeneous material.This means that in any electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), each individual, mechanically indivisible material must not contain mercury exceeding 0.1% of its weight.

Primary Reasons for Restricting Mercury:

•High Toxicity: Mercury and its compounds have severe effects on human health, damaging the nervous system, kidneys, and brain development.

•Persistence and Bioaccumulation: Mercury does not degrade in the environment. It can accumulate in living organisms and magnify through the food chain, particularly concentrating in fish after conversion to methylmercury.

•Environmental Pollution: If mercury-containing electronic products are improperly disposed of (e.g., landfilled or incinerated with general waste), mercury can leach into soil and water sources, causing widespread contamination.

General Prohibition and Specific Exemptions:The intentional addition of mercury is strictly prohibited for the vast majority of other EEE products (e.g., mobile phones, computers, televisions, household appliances, standard LED lamps). Manufacturers must ensure that the mercury content in all homogeneous materials of their products remains below the 0.1% threshold.However, due to technical reasons, there are currently no perfect, completely mercury-free alternatives that meet the performance and requirements of certain special-purpose lamps. Therefore, the RoHS Directive provides exemptions (with validity periods subject to periodic review) for specific applications. Below are some common and important exemption lines:

1. Lighting-Related Exemptions (Most Common):

1）Mercury in compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs):

•For general lighting purposes ≤ 30 W: Mercury content must not exceed 2.5 mg per lamp.

•For general lighting purposes > 30 W: Mercury content must not exceed 3.5 mg per lamp.

•For long-life CFLs (≥ 20,000 hours): Mercury content must not exceed 5 mg per lamp.

2）Mercury in straight fluorescent lamps:

•For general lighting purposes, triphosphor lamps with a lifetime > 25,000 hours: Mercury content must not exceed 5 mg per lamp.

•For general lighting purposes, halophosphate lamps: Mercury content must not exceed 10 mg per lamp.

3）Other Special Lighting:

•Mercury used in high-pressure/low-pressure sodium lamps, metal halide lamps, and other special lighting.

•Mercury in lamps used for backlighting liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

1）Mercury in certain switches and sensors: For example, some traditional thermostats and relays may still use mercury switches (although this is becoming increasingly rare).

2）Mercury used in electrodes of ceramic capacitors or other electronic components.

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