April 25, 2012 – A just-published bulletin from Electro-Federation Canada warns that, by July 14, 2012, Quebec regulations will require lamp producers to be part of, or have their own, government-approved EPR recycling program for lamps and batteries. Not participating in such a program is in contravention of the law in Quebec.

A lamp producer is defined as “the first importer to the province”. It could be a retailer, distributor or a manufacturer. EFC recommends manufacturers discuss with their retailers and distributors how and who will collect and pay the Eco fees, which will be charged on all mercury-containing lamps in Quebec by the program manager upon receipt of sales info provided (in confidence) to the program.

EFC says it has led the development of this program with the cooperation of the EEMAC Lighting section and Product Care Association. The program manager and owner is Product Care. “We have worked with them to develop similar programs in B.C. and Manitoba,” says EFC. “The B.C. and Manitoba programs were for retail lamps only, but these programs are also changing as of July 2012 to include fixtures and all mercury-containing lamps.”

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If you have any questions or concerns, contact Wayne Edwards at wedwards@electrofed.com or (647) 258-7483, or Vanessa Groult, PCA Program Coordinator at vanessa@productcare.org or (888) 772-9772 ext. 200.