Annex III and Annex IV of the RoHS-RL allow for a limited period of time the use of regulated substances in certain applications in concentrations above 0.1% and above 0.01% respectively (cadmium). For ceramic applications, the following exceptions to Annex III of the RoHS-RL are relevant, for piezoelectric applications in particular exception 7 c.I):
| Anhang III | 7c. I | Lead-containing electrical and electronic components in glass or ceramic materials with exception of dielectric ceramics in capacitors, e.g. piezoelectronic devices |
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| 7c. II | Lead in dielectric ceramic in capacitors for a rated voltage of 125 V AC or 250 V DC or above |
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| 7c. IV | Lead in PZT-based dielectric ceramic materials for capacitors that are part of integrated circuits or discrete semiconductors | ||
| 34 | Lead in cermet-based trim potentiometers | ||
| 7c. III | Lead in Cermet-based trim potentiometers Lead in dielectric ceramic in capacitors for a rated voltage of less than 125 V AC or 250 V DC | Expired on 1 January 2013. | |
Anhang IV | 14 | Lead in piezoelectric single crystals for ultrasonic transducers |
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| 40 | Lead in dielectric ceramic in capacitors for a rated voltage of less than 125 V AC or 250 V DC for industrial monitoring and control instruments. | Valid until 31.12. 2020 for industrial monitoring and control instruments (cat. 9) |
After the expiry of the respective deadlines, the exemption shall remain valid for spare parts for repairing the categories of EEE mentioned in each exception mentioned above. However, this requires that these EEEs were placed on the market before the respective expiry periods. For example, a device placed on the market in December 2013 was allowed to use low-voltage capacitors containing lead in the dielectric ceramics in accordance with exception 7 c. III. This device may then also be repaired with such capacitors.
Exemptions can be continued beyond their expiry date upon a timely successful application.