Upcoming plans for lighting
As part of implementing New Zealand’s Efficient Lighting Strategy, the Government is proposing to implement Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for a range of lighting technologies.
The Electricity Commission plans to release the Efficient Lighting Strategy in April, with a target to reduce lighting energy consumption by 20 per cent by 2015. The strategy will be available on the Electricity Commission's website.
The strategy will cover a number of work streams, including MEPS, along with information and financial incentives programmes to accelerate the uptake of better lighting technology. The Australian equivalent to the ELS is “Greenlight Australia” and is available on www.energyrating.gov.au.
Phase-out of inefficient incandescent lighting
EECA is reponsible for MEPS and labelling of a range of lighting products, in collaboration with Australian government agencies. This is part of the ongoing work of the trans-Tasman equipment energy efficiency (E3) programme. The proposed MEPS will remove the worst performing lamps from the market in several stages. The first lamps to be subject to MEPS, from October 2009, will be the general lighting service (GLS) lamp (the common, pear-shaped incandescent light bulb).
Generally the proposed minimum performance level for 60 W GLS lamps is 15 lumens/Watt, which would eliminate most GLS lamps from the market . Alternatives will be available to fit existing light fittings. A separate MEPS is proposed for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), to ensure good quality alternatives are available.
The MEPS is intended to cover general purpose lighting and will not cover special purpose lamps, such as those used for entertainment lighting or medical lighting.
An outline of the proposed MEPS for lighting is as follows:
2008:
- Efficient Lighting Strategy, available in April
- Regulatory Impact Statement, available by August
- Energy Star mark for CFLs, expected in November
2009: MEPS proposed in October for:
- general service lamps, CFLs and extra low voltage halogen non reflector lamps in New Zealand and Australia
- Australia is proposing an import ban from October 2008 to precede MEPS for these products
2010: MEPS proposed in October for:
- >40W candle, fancy round and decorative lamps
- mains voltage halogen non reflectors
- extra low voltage halogen reflectors
- Australia is proposing an import ban from October 2009 to precede MEPS for these products
2012: MEPS proposed in October for:
- mains voltage halogen non reflector lamps including halogen (PAR, ER, R)
- >25W candle, fancy round and decorative lamps
- Australia is proposing an import ban from October 2011 to precede MEPS for these products
E3/ Industry Lighting Forum
To introduce the proposals to New Zealand industry and other stakeholders, a Forum was hosted by EECA in Wellington in March 13. Presentations were made on the Efficient Lighting Strategy and the MEPS proposals, followed by discussion on a range of issues raised.
The presentations from the forum are available below:
>> Electricity Commission: Efficient Lighting Strategy [PDF 197 KB]
>> E3 Phase-out of Inefficient Incandescent Lighting [PDF 200 KB]
>> E3/NZ Industry Lighting Forum [PDF 40 KB]
What happens next?
A Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) detailing the MEPS, including a full cost benefit analysis, will be available in the next few months. Stakeholder comment will be invited on the RIS. As part of consultation, further meetings will be organised to outline the proposal when the RIS is released.
If you would like to receive updates on the proposal please contact regs@eeca.govt.nz to be added to the contact list.
EECA is developing a New Zealand ENERGY STAR® specification for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). ENERGY STAR® is a voluntary endorsement mark used to promote the most energy efficient products on the market. CFLs that meet the specification will be able to display an ENERGY STAR® mark to promote their high efficiency. The New Zealand specification is expected to be available for comment from stakeholders later this year. For more information see www.energystar.govt.nz.
Regulatory requirements for importers and manufacturers
Once regulated, lamps will need to be registered as compliant and to have undergone a performance test before being sold in Australia or New Zealand. New Zealand operates a joint energy efficiency programme with Australia, sharing standards and a website. Models registered in Australia do not need extra registration to be sold in New Zealand.
It’s free to list products in New Zealand. To check which products are registered see www.energyrating.gov.au.
Standards
The energy efficiency test standard for incandescent lamps will be AS/NZS 4934.1, and the MEPS levels will be prescribed in AS/NZS 4934.2. The test standard for self-ballasted lamps (or CFLs) will be AS/NZS4847.1, and the MEPS standard will be AS/NZS4847.2. Once published, Standards are available on the Standards New Zealand website.
Sales data
In order to track the effectiveness of energy rating labels and MEPS, importers and manufacturers are required to supply EECA with annual sales data and efficiency information.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Products Team at EECA on 0800 358 676 or at regs@eeca.govt.nz