BRUSSELS -- The European Parliament has voted to adopt the latest proposed amendments to the RoHS Directive. Assuming it is ratified by the EU Council, the new rules would go into effect within two years.

Significant changes include the addition of Categories 8 and 9 covering Medical and Monitoring and Control Instruments, respectively, and Category 11, a "catchall" category that specifies electrical and electronic equipment not covered by any of the other categories. The new rules would alter the existing document's criteria for CE marking, declaration of conformity, exempted products, definitions, and exemptions for applying, granting, renewing and deleting.

Per EU rules, following approval by the European Parliament, the text must be approved by the EU Council. The council president says he wants it approved by Dec. 31. The directive would then be implemented into EU Member State law within 18 months following publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

For the text as adopted  by the EP, click here.