Environmental contributions

How much will the environmental contributions be in 2024?

When you join Valumat, you pay an annual contribution.

The general assembly of Valumat has set the following contributions for 2024:

	excluding VAT	including VAT
Children mattresses, excluding crib and cot mattresses^*	€ 3.51	€ 4.25
Mattresses and toppers^** ≤ 120 cm	€ 7.02	€ 8.50
Mattresses and toppers^** > 120 cm	€ 14.05	€ 17.00

^* Children mattresses: mattresses of 70 x 140 centimetres maximum, excluding crib and cot mattresses. Crib and cot mattresses are mattresses with a height of less than or equal to 40 mm and with a total surface area of 0.8 m² maximum.
^** Mattresses: products intended for sleeping and resting, suitable for human use for a long period of time, consisting of a strong cover, filled with core materials, and which can be placed on an existing supporting bed structure, including toppers. A topper is a thin mattress with a maximum thickness of ten centimetres that is placed on top of the normal mattress.

Comments on environmental contributions

The contributions are calculated in such a way that the revenue covers the expected expenditure.
The Valumat contribution only applies to quantities which come onto the Belgian market. Mattresses that are exported do NOT fall under the Valumat system.
A VAT percentage of 21% is applicable to the Valumat tariffs.
The contributions may vary over time, depending on the development of costs.
The general assembly of Valumat sets contributions annually. The intention is always to inform participants as soon as possible about any changes.

Calculation of environmental contributions

Participants in the Valumat system pass on the fixed Valumat contribution to their customers. In invoices between professionals (with VAT number, B2B), the contribution must be specified on the invoice. This can be by means of a text line (including environmental contributions) or by explicitly stating the amount of the environmental contributions.
For sales to consumers (B2C), it is not necessary to specify this amount on the invoice or receipt, but it is allowed. The consumer must be informed via other means of communication (e.g. posters, price labels in the shop, mention in advertising brochures, website, etc.) that his total price includes the environmental contribution.

B2B invoicing options:

per invoiced item, stating the amount
grouped stating (total) amount
per invoiced item or grouped stating "environmental contributions included"

What are the environmental contributions used for?

An important part of the contributions serves to compensate the costs of the use of the recycling centres, transport and processing of discarded mattresses. Valumat reimburses final sellers for voluntary collection and the professional market for collection through an approved collector.
In addition to the operating costs, Valumat also provides a budget for research and development towards an easily dismantleable and recyclable mattress.