European actors united for a fair market and effective enforcement

Assoluce joins the collective declaration signed by 59 trade associations and environmental-consumer protection organizations and calls on the European Union to intervene against the regulatory gaps allowing the online sale of non-compliant lighting products. These products compromise consumer safety, environmental sustainability and the competitiveness of Italian and European companies. As e-commerce rapidly grows, an increasing quantity of lighting products sold online do not comply with European safety and sustainability regulations.

LightingEurope – the association representing manufacturers and national associations in the lighting sector in Europe – has estimated* that 71% of the online goods inspected are not compliant, that 95% of the products tested lack the WEEE and CE markings, and that they do not comply with the information requirements for ecodesign, energy labelling, and electrical safety.

“The European Green Deal and regulations on electrical and electronic devices set strict standards to ensure sustainability and safety. However, the proliferation of non-compliant products risks compromising the European Union’s efforts for a more sustainable future and threatens this progress, creating unfair competition for companies that comply with the rules,” comments Carlo Urbinati, President of Assoluce. “It is contradictory that Italian companies have to face complicated non-tariff barriers while non-compliant products enter the EU without adequate controls. Ensuring that all operators comply with EU requirements is key to protecting consumers and safeguarding a fair market.”

LightingEurope, with further industrial partners and environmental-consumer protection organizations, calls on Europe to be responsible for products sold online and improve traceability to strengthen customs authorities with more effective rules to stop non-compliant imports, especially those from non-EU countries. “Assoluce – concludes Urbinati – is committed to collaborating with European institutions and partners in the sector to ensure a competitive, safe and sustainable market for all”.

(*The results of LightingEurope’s 2023 study on the compliance of lighting products sold online are available on the www.lightingeurope.org website)

Assoluce of FederlegnoArredo brings together the most important Italian lighting fixtures manufacturers, sector in which Italy is an accredited world leader.

LightingEurope is the trade association representing the lighting industry in Europe. Based in Brussels, it means 32 national companies and associations.

FederlegnoArredo