1.

Notifying Member: Singapore

If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible: National Environment Agency (NEA)

Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [X], 5.7.1 [ ], other:

4.

Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):

1)         Mobile phones: HS:85171200: Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless network

2)         Portable computers:

·        HS: 84713010: Portable handheld computers not more than 10kg with at least CPU, keyboard & a display

·        HS: 84713020: Laptops not more than 10kg with at least CPU, keyboard & a display

·        HS: 84713090: Other portable automatic data processing machines not more than 10kg with at least CPU, keyboard & display

3)         Refrigerators:

·        HS: 84181010: Combined refrigerator freezers with separate external doors household type

·        HS: 84181090: Other combined refrigerator freezers with separate external doors

·        HS: 84182100: Refrigerators compression household type

·        HS: 84182900: Other household types of refrigerators

4)         Air Conditioners:

·        HS: 84151010: Window or Wall air conditioners self-contained or split system of output not over 26.38KW

·        HS: 84151090: Window or Wall air conditioners self-contained or split system of output over 26.38KW

5)         Panel televisions:

·        HS: 85287292: Colour television receivers LCD LED or flat panel display type not battery operated

6)         Washing machines:

·        HS: 845011XX: Fully automatic washing machines each of dry linen capacity not over 6kg, fully automatic washing machines each of dry linen capacity over 6kg but not over 10kg

·        HS: 84501200: Other fully automatic washing machines each of dry linen capacity not over 10kg with built in centrifugal drier

·        HS: 845019XX: Other washing machines not fully automatic each of dry linen capacity not over 10kg electrically operated

5.

Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA). The above document is available online at http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/

6.

Description of content: NEA is proposing for an inclusion of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in six Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) under the Second Schedule of the existing Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA). Singapore RoHS (SG RoHS) is adapted from the EU RoHS Directive, Directive 2011/65/EU.

All EEE as listed in Section 4 above, to be supplied or for sale in Singapore, must meet the prescribed restrictions (as shown below) if they are manufactured or imported for sale in Singapore. The restrictions would be effected 1 year from the date of gazette of SG RoHS, and NEA would be gazetting SG RoHS in 4Q 2015.

Details of SG-RoHS is summarised below:

·         6 Restricted Hazardous Substances:

·      Lead (Pb); Mercury (Hg); Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI); Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs); Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) – Allowable Concentration Limits: Maximum 1,000ppm (0.1% by weight)

·      Cadmium (Cd) – Allowable Concentration Limits: Maximum 100ppm (0.01% by weight)

·         Controlled EEE: 6 identified EEE: mobile phones, mobile computers, refrigerators, air conditioners, panel TVs and washing machines (excluding spare parts and components which are sold separately) [Note: EU-RoHS control includes all EEE and their spare parts, with certain exemptions.]

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: 

Objective: To protect and enhance the environment by minimising the end-of-life environmental impact of waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) at the end of their useful life.

Rationale: Hazardous substances, including heavy metals, are present in many EEE. Due to its high replacement rate and short life cycle, EEE also contributes to a fast growing waste stream. Considering that much of the waste EEE generated from households are incinerated at the waste-to-energy incineration facilities in Singapore, the NEA is looking at ways to reduce the amount of heavy metals present in EEE which would otherwise accumulate in the incineration ash, enter the landfill, and affect amount of heavy metals in the landfill as well as the recyclability of incineration ash.

8.

Relevant documents: Notice will be published in the Republic of Singapore's Government Gazette when adopted

9.

Proposed date of adoption: Notice will be published in the Republic of Singapore's Government Gazette when adopted

Proposed date of entry into force: Notice will be published prior to the date of entry into force

10.

Final date for comments: 60 days from the date of notification

11.

Texts available from: National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:

Ms Joanna Hy Lim

Senior Engineer, Pollution Control Department

40 Scotts Road, #12-00 Environment Building

Singapore 228231

Tel.: (65) 6708-6139 (DID)

Fax: (65) 6235-6743

Email: joanna_hy_lim@nea.gov.sg