Reminder: In December 2014 PCA notified members of a fee rate change to the BC LightRecycle fixture and ballast categories, effective April 1, 2015.
Revised fixture and ballast fee rates are summarized in the chart below. There is no change to the Lamps categories fee rates.
Applicable BC fees, starting April 1st 2015.
Effective April 1, 2015, fee rates will be the same for all fixture categories (categories 9, 10, 11 and 12 above). The fact of a common fee rate raises the option of “collapsing” these four fixture categories into one category for reporting purposes.
In the notice sent in December, 2014 PCA requested feedback from members regarding their preference to either leave the fixtures categories as they are or collapse the categories into one single category. Thank you to those of you who provided feedback. Overall responses were mixed. Some prefer to simplify the categories and collapse them and others think it is best to leave them as is. Several members felt that more consultation is necessary before changing the categories.
Based on the feedback received, PCA has decided to leave the categories as they are for now, but consider changing the categories in the future based on further consultation with our BC Advisory Committee, subject to approval by the PCA Board of Directors. Therefore, effective April 1, 2015 the fee rate for all fixture categories will be $0.15, as indicated in the table above, however members will still be required to report into categories 9 through 12 for fixtures. Members will be notified of the results of any further consultations or potential category changes in the future.
Clarification on PCAs exemption policy for integrated lighting products
It has come to our attention that there has been some confusion around PCA’s exemption policy regarding integrated lighting products, and specifically lighting products sold to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for use in Aeronautical, Marine and Auto Fixtures.
The LightRecycle program exempts lighting products exclusively designed to illuminate space within a mode of transportation. However, fixtures that are not exclusively designed for this purpose are included in the program.
This distinction is made on page 17 of the BC LightRecycle Product List as follows:
Fixtures that are not exclusively designed to illuminate space within a mode of transportation, and that otherwise meet the definition of included fixtures, are included in the program in the relevant fixture category. For example, if a fixture is sold for the purpose of integration into a mode of transportation but is otherwise indistinguishable from an included fixture sold to illuminate space in a non-transportation based setting (e.g. commercial building), it is included in the program. As an example, fluorescent fixtures that, once sold, can either be integrated into a commercial building or into a trailer are included in the program.
For greater clarity, lighting products sold to OEMs for use in fixtures that can be used in multiple applications are included in the BC LightRecycle program and should be levied fees. Members who have been selling these types of lighting products without fees are required to begin charging fees for these products, and are required to pay the associated fees for past sales as of the later of October 1, 2012 (the date of the program expansion to include fixtures) or the date that the member began selling such products.
It is very important to PCA and to the LightRecycle program to maintain a level and fair competitive landscape and ensure that fees are applied consistently across a product category. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring you follow your obligations to properly apply fees and pay any past fees that were required for obligated products. If you require further clarification on this matter, please contact us and we would be happy to provide additional information and work with you to ensure your fees are properly applied.