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By joining PV CYCLE Belgium, you arrange your legal obligations around the take-back and recycling of used photovoltaic PV panels in a very simple way.
What the law says?
Companies that put PV panels on the Belgian market must be responsible for collecting and recycling the PV panels at the end of their useful life. The same also applies to the inverters and batteries that are part of the PV panel installation.
The obligation was introduced across Europe in 2012 with the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) legislation. The legislation has since been transposed into regulations in Belgium's three regions
What are the resulting obligations?
REGISTRATION. Companies placing PV panels on the market must register with the competent authority. In Belgium, this can be done directly with the three regional authorities or through PV CYCLE Belgium.
DECLARATION. Chaque trimestre, ils indiquent le nombre de panneaux solaires qu'ils ont mis sur le marché.
COLLECTION and RECYCLABILITY. All PV panels sold on the Belgian market must be collected and recycled at the end of their life, regardless of the brand or date they came on the market.
FINANCING.. The collection and recycling system is financed through an environmental contribution charged at the time of sale and explicitly stated on the invoice.
COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESS:
- Inform users about the PV panel collection system.
- Mark collected PV panels with a crossed-out wheeled bin and the identity or logo of the person responsible.
- Inform processing facilities about the composition of the PV panels and the possible presence of hazardous materials.
Since when have these obligations been in place?
The European legislation dates back to 2012 and has since been transposed by the three regional governments. Specifically, the take-back obligation has been in force in the three regions since the following dates: in Flanders since July 1, 2016, in Brussels since July 1, 2020 and in Wallonia since January 1, 2022.
Download the European legislation.
Learn more about Flemish legislation.
Learn more about Brussels legislation.
Learn more about Walloon legislation.
CAUTION!
Have you been active on the Belgian market for some time? Then you must make a retroactive declaration of the PV panels you have put on the market since the legislation came into force. However, there is a maximum retroactivity period of seven years.
Who is considered as a "Producer"?
Le législateur utilise une définition large du terme "producteur". L'obligation de reprise n'est donc pas limitée aux entreprises qui ont effectivement produit les panneaux photovoltaïques. Dans la pratique, il s'agit plutôt des entreprises qui ont introduit les panneaux photovoltaïques sur le marché belge. Plus précisément, il peut s'agir des entreprises suivantes :
- MANUFACTURERS who produce or commission PV panels and sell them in Belgium.
- SELLERS who sell under their own name or brand name photovoltaic PV panels manufactured by a third party.
- IMPORTERS and INSTALLERS who import and sell photovoltaic PV panels from abroad into Belgium.
- ONLINE PLAYERS based abroad and selling photovoltaic PV panels in Belgium through a web shop or other online sales channels.
An important indication can be found on your supplier's invoice. If no environmental contribution for Belgium was charged for your PV panels, as a company you are most likely legally responsible yourself.
You doubt whether your company falls under this obligation? Then contact PV CYCLE Belgium.
Why join PV CYCLE Belgium?
Does your company put PV panels on the Belgian market? By joining PV CYCLE Belgium, you are immediately in compliance with your legal obligations!
Choose simplicity. When you join PV CYCLE Belgium, we take care of your legal obligations: your company is registered with the official authorities and we ensure that the PV panels are collected and recycled. Via our online declaration system, you provide a quarterly overview of the PV panels you have put on the market.
A sustainable choice. PV CYCLE Belgium guarantees sustainable processing of your PV panels and achieves high recycling rates for all panels we collect. This way you can be sure that the valuable materials are not lost and are effectively used in the circular economy. Moreover, we make maximum use of local recycling companies and processors.
For all of Belgium. The acceptance obligation for PV panels is regulated at the level of the regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels) with specific requirements in each region. By joining PV CYCLE Belgium, you are immediately in order for the entire Belgian territory.
You are not required to join PV CYCLE Belgium, but then you must submit an individual plan (and get approval for it) in the regions where you market PV panels.
Which PV panels are involved?
The take-back obligation applies to :
- Standard photovoltaic PV panels in a PV power system connected to the grid.
- Photovoltaic PV panels and used for stand-alone off-grid applications, such as in a caravan or in combination with a battery as wel as plug-in solar panels.
- Photovoltaic PV panels integrated into building components such as roof tiles, windows or façade walls, called Building Integrated PV (BIPV).
PV cells integrated into backpacks, phone chargers, fans, lamps, fountains, radios, watches or garden lights are not considered photovoltaic PV panels.
What does it cost?
You pay a fee of 1.5 euros per standard PV panel you put on the market. You pass this amount on to your customers via the environmental contribution. The environmental contribution must be explicitly stated on the invoice.
Comment adhérer ?
Joining PV CYCLE is very simple. You provide us with your details via the registration form and then a membership agreement is sent to you via email. You will also immediately receive an online account, and the necessary information to file your first tax return. We are of course ready to help you with any questions or problems.
Who is registered?
Would you like to see which companies are registered with PV CYCLE Belgium?