On 18 March 2009 the European Commission adopted two eco-design regulations to improve the energy efficiency of household lamps and of office, street and industrial lighting products.
Inefficient incandescent light bulbs will be replaced by improved alternatives starting in 2009 and finishing at the end of 2012.
The two Regulations set energy efficiency, functionality and product information requirements for households lamps (in particular incandescent bulbs, halogen lamps and compact fluorescent lamps), as well as for lighting products typically used in office, street and industrial lighting (fluorescent lamps, high-intensity discharge lamps and related ballasts and luminaires)
This move by the Commission is very much in line with the call for a ban on low performance lighting products done by energy ministers of the EU in October 2008. The Commission had already indicated it would do so within the framework of the Eco-design Directive, available for download on the right-hand side of the screen.
Energy efficient light bulbs and lamps consume less tan 75% less energy than traditional ones which is why energy efficient lighting had been one of the top priority action points of the Energy Efficiency Action plan of 2006 which set an overall 20% energy efficiency target by 2020.
Against this background European bulb manufacturers had pledged a phasing out of low performance bulbs in Europe by 2015 in June 2007. Industry estimates speak of a carbon footprint reduction of 23 mega tonnes of CO2 and nearly £5.5 billion annual electricity savings in the domestic lighting sector alone. According to manufacturers unlike most other products, a light bulb’s environmental impact is caused not so much during its production, transport or disposal but in its use phase. But apart from the energy saving aspect, fluorescent light bulbs also last ten times longer.
Certain stakeholders have expressed concerns that compact fluorescent lamps could have a negative impact on people suffering from certain medical conditions. Also, the mercury content of some halogen lamps has been criticized.
RICS supports the steps taken by the European Commission, but would like to point out that energy not used is the best way to save energy, therefore more effort should be put in to intelligent lighting systems.
For more information please contact Ursula Hartenberger of RICS EU Public Affairs at uhartenberger@rics.org
