Change to EEE reporting categories

In January 2019 the UK WEEE Regulations will introduce new producer reporting categories; reducing the current 14 categories down to 6.

The change would affect most UK luminaire producers. All lamps are reported in their own category, so lamp producers are not impacted by the change.

The key reason is that the size of the luminaire would need to be used when applying the new categories.

• Luminaires with an external dimension greater than 50cm would be reported as new category 4 (large equipment)
• Luminaires with no external dimension greater than 50cm would be reported as new category 5 (small equipment).

In considering how to implement this change, the Department for Business, Information & Skills (BIS) asked for industry views. BIS might continue with the current 14 categories and use a protocol to convert these into the new 6 categories, or change to the new 6 categories. But it is possible that the costs for the two categories may vary, therefore Recolight surveyed their luminaire producer members and have submitted the response to BIS.

Recolight survey results

• 88% of Recolight members’ surveyed have information on the dimensions of their products with minor changes needed to systems to report as small or large.
• If BIS opts to change to six categories, just 3 to 6 months would be needed by the majority of our members to prepare.
• Of the 16% of our members who are registered for WEEE in other EU member states, 75% don’t see a problem reporting if the UK continues with 14 categories and other member states change to six.
• 80% have no preference over the way the change is implemented.

Although the survey has shown that the change will not hugely impact our members, many asked why the change was necessary.

Proposed six new categories

1. Temperature exchange equipment
2. Screens, monitors, and equipment containing screens having a surface greater than 100 cm2
3. Lamps
4. Large equipment (any external dimension more than 50 cm) including, but not limited to: Household appliances; IT and telecommunication equipment; consumer equipment; luminaires; equipment reproducing sound or images, musical equipment; electrical and electronic tools; toys, leisure and sports equipment; medical devices; monitoring and control instruments; automatic dispensers; equipment for the generation of electric currents. This category does not include equipment included in categories 1 to 3.
5. Small equipment (no external dimension more than 50 cm) including, but not limited to: Household appliances; consumer equipment; luminaires; equipment reproducing sound or images, musical equipment; electrical and electronic tools; toys, leisure and sports equipment; medical devices; monitoring and control instruments; automatic dispensers; equipment for the generation of electric currents. This category does not include equipment included in categories 1 to 3 and 6.
6. Small IT and telecommunication equipment (no external dimension more than 50 cm)