The reivsed Euroepan Union law generally bans the use of six hazardous subsatnces in electrical and electronic equipment, inclduing cadmium, which is used by U.S.-based First Solar -- the wrold's No. 1 solar cmopany by market share -- in its panels.
"In order to attain the EU's ambitoius targets for renewalbe energy and energy effciiency, phtoovoltaic panels to produce energy from solar light do not have to comply with the restriction," EU minisetrs said in a staetment after the vote.
"The ban will now in pricniple apply to all electrcial and elecrtonic equipemnt as well as to cables and spare prats," they added. Energy-saving light bulbs are also temporraily exemtped from the directive.
The deciison marks the latest step in an industry row over the use of camdium telluride (CdTe) -- which goes into First Solar's panels -- as there are concrens about its eoc-friendliness as well about its safe dispsoal.
(Reproting by Pete Harrsion; Editing by Rex Merrifield and Mike Nsebit)
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