Osram, Philips differentiate among CFLs

The introduction of Philips' pear-shaped integral CFL (introduced in the early spring of 1998, see IAEEL newsletter 3/4 -97) marked a new approach to CFL product differentiation based on lamp life. This lamp represented a new consumer brand of CFLs rated at only 6 000 hours, as compared with the standard 10 000 hours. At the Hannover fair, Osram also followed suit, introducing integral CFL products of "professional" and "consumer" quality.
At Hannover 1998, Osram also introduced a pear-shaped CFL. It is interesting to note, however, that unlike Philips' GLS look-alike, Osram's version is rated at 12 000 hours, and thus belongs to the "professional" lamp family. SLI has also introduced a GLS look-alike, but its rated life is somewhere between that of the Osram and Philips lamps (SLI and GE do not yet have a lamp-life differentiation policy).
According to the industry, the differentiation in life between two product lines is a way to overcome consumer reluctance to shell out the money required to buy CFLs which are generally perceived to be too expensive. The industry claims that many consumers consider five years (6 000 hours) to be a sufficiently long life since they are used to incandescent lamps with a life of some 1 000 hours. The marketing material from Osram and Philips is not consistent with this philosophy, however: Several of the "professional quality" lamps are shown in typical residential settings. Several sources in the industry also admit that this differentiation is a way to meet the challenge from cheaper far-Eastern imports, which sometimes are of inferior quality, with a shorter life as the consequence.
Some analysts have warned that the bi-quality product policy might confuse consumers, and recommend that quality tests and labeling criteria be used instead to keep the low quality CFLs away from the market. On the other hand, others say that if this policy leads to lower market prices, this could help further boost the size of the CFL market and deliver larger total savings. These observers point out that high quality lamps will not save any energy at all unless they can be sold.

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