Eclipse (Distributors) Ltd    
  Specialist distributor of lamps and lighting to wholesalers and distributors

WEEE UPDATE MAY 2009

***WEEE  Levy to be introduced on replacement LED Products***

After much debate, all replacement LED products including MR16 and GU10 types will shortly come under the scope of the WEEE directive. Although the final details have not yet been released, it looks as though the WEEE Levy will be 3p.

WEEE UPDATE

It has been announced by Recolight that the WEEE charge for all CFLi's (Compact Fluorescent Lamps with integral ballast) will be reduced to 3p per lamp from 1st December 2008. The reasons for the reduction for this product range only include the following:

1. The drive towards the replacement of incandescent lamps with CFLi's will produce a significant short term increase in the sales of this product range. This changes the Recolight costing model.
2. The average life of a CFLi is around 6 years. Consequently the cost of recycling this increase in sales will not be incurred for 6 years.
3. CFLi's are mainly used in domestic/household applications where the current rate of return is very low. It is, however, anticipated that the rate of return will increase as the general public become more aware of the need for recycling. 
4. The reduced figure of 3p per lamp is conditional on the above market assumptions. If the market does not conform to these assumptions, then the cost will be reviewed accordingly. 
5. It is anticipated that the reduced charge of 3p and the standard charge of 15p will converge in the medium to long term.

Eclipse (Distributors) Ltd will charge the reduced rate of 3p per lamp for all CFLi's from 3rd December 2008.

WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 2006 (WEEE)

The above directive became law on January 2nd 2007 but came into effect on 1st July 2007. This puts the responsibility for the collection and recycling of all Gas Discharge Products  (Fluorescent, Compacts and all Discharge Lamps) on the designated producer of the product. The additional cost to the producer will be added to the cost of all products sold from 1st July 2007.

The 4 major UK suppliers (Philips, Osram, GE and Sylvania) have established a joint venture, not-for-profit  Approved Compliance Scheme called Recolight to deal with their obligations under the WEEE directive. The cost of collection, recycling and administering this Scheme will be covered by a fixed cost that  will be the same for any lamp falling within the WEEE Directive and this will be charged as a separate line on every invoice as a visible fee.

The charge has been fixed at 15p per lamp. Although each individual producer can charge what they like it appears that most other producers are charging 15p per lamp as well.

As a Distributor of products that fall within the WEEE Directive, Eclipse (Distributors) Ltd will  pass on the additional fee to all Customers  from the 1st July 2007.

On December 1st 2008, the WEEE charge for CFLi's (Compact Fluorescent Lamps with integral ballast) was reduced to 3p per lamp.

All of the major lamp manufacturers are insisting that the WEEE fee will be charged as a separate line on every order. We can pass this on in a similar way as a visible fee. However we would prefer that all prices, both Sales and Purchases were inclusive of the WEEE fee as this simplifies all aspects of our paperwork and systems. 

The WEEE levy is subject to VAT and we will allow settlement discount to be taken.  All products that fall within the WEEE directive have WEEE included in the product description.

Eclipse (Distributors) Ltd are not a Designated Collection Facility (DCF). Consequently we cannot accept back any end of life lamps. For details of the DCF's or to find out the conditions under which Recolight will collect end of life lamps, please contact them directly on 0845 601 7749 or at www.recolight.co.uk.

Other information relating to the WEEE Directive: 

- There is no obligation to charge the WEEE fee as a visible fee or as an inclusive price, but all WEEE charges have to be included in the price by 2011.

- According to the directive, the end user should be able to identify the Producer so the appropriate disposal route can be used but at the moment it appears that brand will be the only distinguishing identifier. It is not clear at the moment what arrangements are in place for those designated producers who are not members of Recolight.

If you have any comments on the above, please email them to us at Eclipse E-Mail