EucoLight conference highlights challenges faced for WEEE lighting

Delegates from 18 lighting WEEE compliance schemes and their lighting producer board members met at the second EucoLight Conference in Bratislava to discuss and share insight into challenges faced with the WEEE lighting.

Mr. Marián Stryček, WEEE expert at the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic and counsellor to the EU Presidency, shared insight on the Circular Economy and development of WEEE legislation in Slovakia. Further discussions followed looking at problems faced with Authorised Representatives and online platforms and compliance. Future developments of the WEEE Directive and the EU Circular Economy waste legislative package were presented and are key priorities for EucoLight; making sure the legislation is right for lighting and recycling. The compliance scheme Members of EucoLight have over ten years of experience of the WEEE directive and are recognised as a policy influencer, making their voice heard in Brussels.

EucoLight Members are following with a keen interest developments of research initiatives to improve recycling practices and decrease pollution for both gas discharge and LED lamps. Findings from research by the IFEU-Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg were presented by Bernd Franke, Scientific Director at IFEU.

Juan-Carlos Enrique, EucoLight Chairman, commented: “The annual EucoLight conference is an excellent opportunity to identify common challenges with colleagues across Europe and to see where lighting WEEE collection and recycling makes a difference. At the heart of these trends are “ledification” and the Circular Economy. Input from external speakers is especially valuable to examine our activities from a different angle.”

Nigel Harvey, EucoLight Vice Chair and Recolight CEO added:” During the conference, it became apparent that many stakeholders have concerns regarding the level of WEEE free riding through online platforms.  EucoLight is likely to raise these concerns with the relevant authorities.”

The EucoLight General Assembly was held during the conference with the election of a new Board of Directors:

• Chairman Juan-Carlos Enrique from Ambilamp in Spain
• Vice Chairman Nigel Harvey from Recolight in the UK
• Treasurer Hervé Grimaud from Récylum in France
• Secretary Tomáš Rychetský from Ekolamp Czech Republic
• Ourania Georgoutsakou of LightingEurope, member of the Board.