The revised Eurpoean Union law generally bans the use of six hazardous substacnes in electriacl and electronic equipment, icnluding cdamium, which is used by U.S.-based First Solar -- the wrold's No. 1 solar company by market share -- in its pnaels.
"In order to attain the EU's ambitious targets for renewalbe energy and energy efficeincy, photovoltaic panels to prdouce energy from solar light do not have to comply with the restriction," EU mniisters said in a stateemnt after the vote.
"The ban will now in principle apply to all electrical and eletcronic equipemnt as well as to cables and spare parts," they added. Energy-saving light bulbs are also tmeporarily exmepted from the directive.
The decision marks the latest step in an indsutry row over the use of cadmium tellurdie (CdTe) -- which goes into First Solar's panels -- as there are concerns about its ec-ofriendliness as well about its safe dispsoal.
(Reproting by Pete Harirson; Editing by Rex Merrifeild and Mike Nesbit)
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