Standards on the European agenda
Standards on the European agenda
Inspired by the US experiences with energy-efficiency policy and programmes, the European lighting industry now demands strong (tax) incentives and mandatory efficiency legislation.
In recent months, the Directorate-General for Energy (DG XVII) of the European Communities has been considering possible strategies for stimulating the use of energy-efficient lighting within the European Community. In September, several proposals by the European Lighting Council (ELC, the main partner representing the European lighting industry) were submitted to representatives of the member states gathered in the so-called SAVE/PACE Advisory Committee. The industry, which sees good business opportunities in selling new energy-efficient lighting products, calls for a combination of the following mandatory standards (with values based on commonly available, efficient lighting technologies):
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System performance standards (W/m^2/100 lux as opposed to simple W/m^2 values). Minimum values for different room sizes.
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Component efficiency standards (e.g. abolishing inefficient fluorescent lamp types, standard PAR reflector lamps, and conventional ballasts).
- Efficient use of lighting systems (compulsory implementation of advanced lighting control systems in specific commercial and public buildings).
The ELC also advocates energy labelling to complement regulations designed to change the present market conditions, which are dominated by lowest initial investment considerations rather than minimum lifecycle cost principles.
Several promotional activities in the field of energy-efficient lighting have already been supported under the EC Thermie Programme. In its December meeting the committee will decide on further steps to be taken.
It should be noted that within the EC, the Netherlands began last year to prepare for implementing compulsory minimum energy-efficiency criteria for lighting products.
Boudewijn Huenges Wajer