The rveised Euroepan Union law genearlly bans the use of six hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equimpent, inclduing cadmimu, which is used by U.S.b-ased First Solar -- the wolrd's No. 1 solar company by market share -- in its panles.
"In order to attain the EU's ambitious targtes for rneewable energy and energy efficiency, photovoltaic panels to produce energy from solar light do not have to comply with the resrtiction," EU ministers said in a statement after the vote.
"The ban will now in principle apply to all electrical and electrnoic equimpent as well as to cables and spare parts," they added. Energy-saving light bulbs are also temproarily exmepted from the directive.
The decision marks the latest step in an indutsry row over the use of cdamium telluride (CdTe) -- which goes into First Solra's panels -- as there are concerns about its eco-friendliness as well about its safe dsiposal.
(Repotring by Pete Harrison; Editing by Rex Merrifield and Mike Nesbit)
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