Lighting manufacturers are calling on the EU to ‘level the playing field’ for its circularity rules to ensure fair competition.
The brands’ representative body, LightingEurope says it welcomes the upcoming Circular Economy Act but say policymakers need ensure it doesn’t give any unfair advantages to certain sectors and regions.
The organisation fears ‘complex regulations and market barriers, overlapping rules, high administrative burdens and diverging national implementations will stifle innovation and undermine competitiveness.
It says the rules risks creating double regulation if not properly aligned with existing legislation.
‘Beyond this, a lack of incentives for consumers and public procurers, combined with fiscal and regulatory obstacles such as double taxation, non-harmonised reporting requirements and complex cross-border shipment procedures, undermine the development of a competitive circular market.’
LightingEurope proposes harmonising the rules to prevent double taxation on refurbished and repaired goods, facilitating cross-border shipments of used and waste luminaires, and promoting circular public procurement.
Finally, it says that clear economic incentives such as tax breaks or subsidies for compliant producers are crucial to bridge the price gap between new and refurbished light fittings.
There also need to be public awareness campaigns and demand-side supporting policies promoting durability, repairability and upgradability.
It says that the absence of a true EU Single Market for waste and secondary raw materials, due to inconsistent member state rules, varying definitions, and complex cross-border shipment procedures, obstructs the free movement of materials.
‘This fragmentation prevents economies of scale and deters crucial infrastructure investment. Companies need legal certainty, in order to make a viable business case for repair, re-use, refurbishment and remanufacturing with the support of EU rules to facilitate the uptake of circular economy practices·
‘This is essential to support the recovery of critical raw materials and enable more reuse and preparation for reuse activities.’
It says the EU needs to scrap outdated rules, implement clear and achievable implementation timelines and reduce administrative burdens.
It proposes harmonising the rules to prevent double taxation on refurbished and repaired goods, facilitating cross-border shipments of used and waste electronics, and promoting circular public procurement.
• Learn more about sustainable lighting at Circular Lighting Live 2025, Recolight’s flagship conference and exhibition, which takes place on Thursday 25 September 2025 at the Minster Building in the City of London. Free to specifiers, Circular Lighting Live 2025 will feature leading experts, specifiers and policy makers who will share their insights into forthcoming standards and legislation, emerging technologies and new business models. More info: www.circularlighting.live
