The EU Commission received an application request for renewal of an exemption in Annex IV of RoHS 2 Directive about the use of mercury in intravascular ultrasound imaging systems (entry 42) in 2017 which was to expire on June 30, 2019.

Mercury is used in electric rotating connectors of intravascular ultrasound imaging systems which enables, inter alia, higher frequency operation and allows obtaining higher resolution imaging beneficial for patients.

Due to the lack of alternatives, a subsititution or elimination of mercury in the applications is currently scientifically and technically impracticable. Furthermore, the exemption is consistent with REACH Regulation and thus no contradiction on environmental and health protection. Therefore, the Commission accepted the request and renewed the exemption entry by extending the expiry date to June 30, 2026.