Brussels, 12/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - Cadmium is a heavy metal that is toxic to human health but it is soon expected to be approved for use in illumination and display applications such as certain LCD televisions and electronic goods unless the European Parliament opposes this move.
On Monday 11 May, the Council of the EU decided without debate, not to oppose the adoption of a European Commission directive to exempt cadmium from the ban it is soon expected to apply under a 2011 European directive (Directive 2011/65/EU) limiting the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The Commission justifies its initiative by explaining that it is necessary to adapt European legislation to ongoing technical progress.
Under the terms of this directive, which seeks to protect human health, the use of cadmium in TV and lighting was not expected to be authorised until 1 July 2014. Cadmium is one of the six carcinogenic substances whose use is subject to restrictions. If the new Commission directive is adopted by delegated act, it will modify Annex III of the 2011 directive and exempt cadmium until June 2018.
Michael Edelman, the director of the Nanoco group, the world leader in the production of cadmium-free quantic dots asserted: “There is no need to use cadmium in LCD TV. Novel TVs can be manufactured with cadmium-free quantic dots. Extending the cadmium exemption period will lead to EU citizens being exposed to a toxic substance, despite the fact that safer alternative solutions are available. This is clearly a violation of the provisions in the law applicable”. (Aminata Niang)