Protect the environment and save - even without quality loss!
Especially in the field of light there are savings potentials to be realised easily. Furthermore, lighting quality and lighting level can be raised considerably in many cases. The lighting installation will be brought to the up-to-date state of technology, standards and regulations met, dangers and accidents might be avoided.
Employment of progressive technology such as lamps with high luminous efficiencies (e.g. metal halide lamps) and luminaires with high effectivenesses yield efficiency and new ideas. Further measures like luminous flux control with presence detector and customising the lighting installation to the application exactly - light where and when it is needed - make savings quota rewarding.
Renovation or retrofit of lighting installations need special know how, thus, please, take care to employ professional planning. Support can be provided by public development schemes.
Status of European Regulations Regarding Lamps
As lamps consume energy, they are directly affected by the ErP directive (ecodesign).
Tangible limit values are specified in the "Implementing Measures" = IM, which in practice already act as a prohibition for some lamp types.
Today, there are still the first 3 directives in force:
IM Tertiary Sector: (EU 245/2009)
Minimal standards and benchmark values for professional lighting
Measures since 2010, completed 2017
DIM I, domestic IM ("Ban on Incandescent Lamps", "Light source reform", EU 244/2009)
Minimal standards for home lighting
Measures since 2009, completed 2018
DIM II (EU 1194/2012)
Minimal standards for lamps with reflector, LED retrofit lamps, control gear and luminaires
Measures since 2013, completed 2016
But the next step has already been taken:
in December 2019, an ecodesign directive has come into force which affects all light sources (lamps and luminaires with integral light sources) as well as control gear.
Single Lighting Regulation (SLR) or also known as One Lighting Reglation (1LR)
Minimal standards for all light sources
Measures from 2021
EU Framework Directives
The directives for increasing energy efficiency are frame directives and, thus, are in force straightaway in the member states and do not need to be transferred to national laws.- 2006/32/EG ESD: Directive on Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services plus
- 2010/31/EG EPBD: Energy performance of buildings
- 2009/125/EG ErP: Eco Design Requirements for Energy-related–Products
So, there are also products regarded which do not consume any energy themselves, but have massive influence on the overall energy consumption (such as windows).
But only via 'Implementing Measures' concrete action can be defined to be put into practise, like exact limit values as minimal standards.
EU directives as original text for download