Shift in law for France’s PV sector

France – Henceforth, companies in France must finance and ensure the waste treatment of PV modules they sell and import.

Extension of the Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) to PV modules has resulted in a legal obligation for companies based in France to organise the take-back and recycling of their discarded products returned by consumers and professionals.

‘As far as the major PV module manufacturers are concerned, they anticipated the regulatory changes betimes, already integrating WEEE compliance in their processes,’ comments Jan Clyncke, president of PV CYCLE France and head of Europe’s first PV-focused take-back and recycling scheme. ‘WEEE, however, not only concerns large manufacturing companies but the many small and medium-sized enterprises today active in France.’

As such, offering a ‘tailored service’ and ‘good understanding’ of the French PV market is a vital argument for France’s industry-managed waste treatment and compliance services, says Nicolas Defrenne, national representative of PV Cycle. ‘As the French regulations do not provide for any transitional period, it is important to comply immediately.’

Defrenne also points out that PV modules are labelled as ‘household equipment’ under France’s WEEE laws. This means charging a ‘visible fee’ on every newly-sold piece of equipment to cover future waste management.