National authorities have voted on changes to various requirements in the eco-design and energy labelling regulations for light sources. LightingEurope has actively contributed to this revision process and is now evaluating the results with its members’ expert group. The official publication of the updated regulations is expected in late spring 2021.
LightingEurope has received preliminary information on the changes. They mainly relate to technical criteria for light sources, the phase-out or exemptions of some products and the definition of ‘containing products’. In more detail, they affect the stroboscopic effect requirements (SVM) for LED mains lamps, stage lighting lamps, infrared heating lamps and rules applicable to luminaires. Further details, also related to labelling, should become known to LightingEurope and its members over the next days.
The eco-design and energy labelling regulations were published in December 2019 and new requirements have become applicable at different points in time. The discontinuation of the energy label for luminaires already applies since December 2019. Most of the eco-design and the energy labelling rules start to apply on 1 September 2021.
LightingEurope has published guidelines to help companies understand and apply the new complex rules to their products and to help market surveillance authorities enforce them. A first version was made available on the same day the laws were published in December 2019, and a revised updated version was made available in October 2020.
What are the next steps? After the official amendment document is published on a European Commission website, a scrutiny period starts for the EU Parliament and EU Council. If no objections are raised by either of these institutions, the publication of the updated regulations in the EU Official Journal is currently expected for late spring 2021. Most requirements become applicable as of 1 September 2021.