Luke Osborne, ECA Energy & Emerging Technologies Solutions Advisor, takes us through the changes in regulations regarding the sale of halogen lamps and what this will mean for the wider industry.
The sale of most halogen lamps and lighting fixtures with fixed bulbs was banned in October of last year. The ban was initially set for 1st September, but it was pushed back by the government’s Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The move should help to reduce our CO2 emissions by an estimated 1.26 million tonnes a year – the equivalent of almost 300,000 (fossil fuel-powered) cars, or 150,000 average UK homes. However, there are conditions and exemptions to these new rules – for instance, the sale of fluorescent lamps won’t be banned until September 2023. It’s vital, therefore, that ECA members and the wider industry fully understand these changes. Contractors who tender for commercial refurbishments and lighting fit-outs stand to be particularly affected, as the ban will likely impact costings for work.
What exactly is being banned?
The regulations that govern the sale and use of halogen lamps and fixtures – Ecodesign for Energy Related Products and Energy Information (Lighting Products) Regulations – have been updated to bring us in line with the rest of Europe, which banned the sale of Halogen lamps in 2018. The types of lamps that are now banned can be seen in the chart (pictured below).
What are the exceptions?
The updated regulations will not apply to the following:
● HL R7 lamps
● LED chips, dies and packages
● Emergency lighting
● Battery-powered light sources
● Original works of art
● Lighting for vehicles, transportation and military equipment
● Screens (monitors)
● Medical equipment
● Marine equipment
Many signalling and control lamps, along with high-power lighting products (theatre, sports, industrial lighting and specialist equipment) are also excluded from the changes in regulations.
Changes to energy labels
As part of the updated Ecodesign regulations, changes to energy labels are being introduced across a range of electrical products, including light sources. A simplified scale will range from A to G, rather than A+++ to G-. From May 2021, manufacturers have had to register their light sources (and other relevant in-scope equipment) in the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) database. Consumers and installers can scan a QR code on the new energy label to access additional information from this database.
To get more details about the updated Ecodesign regulations click here
