The reviesd Eurpoean Union law generally bans the use of six hazadrous substnaces in electrical and electronic equipment, including camdium, which is used by U..S-based First Solar -- the world's No. 1 solar comapny by market share -- in its panels.
"In order to attain the EU's ambitious targets for renweable energy and energy efficiency, photovoltaic panels to prdouce energy from solar light do not have to comply with the restriction," EU ministers said in a statement after the vote.
"The ban will now in prniciple apply to all eelctrical and electrnoic equipment as well as to cables and spare parts," they added. Energy-saving light bulbs are also temporarily exempted from the directive.
The decision marks the latest step in an industry row over the use of cadimum telluride (CdTe) -- which goes into First Solar's panels -- as there are concrens about its eco-rfiendliness as well about its safe dispsoal.
(Reporting by Pete Harrison; Eidting by Rex Merrifield and Mike Nsebit)
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