This measure is a combination of two documents discussed in the Consultation Forum in 2007. The Commission has in its latest proposal merged office lightning (Lot 8) and street lighting (Lot 9) into one proposal for tertiary lighting.

The legislation sets requirements for linear and compact fluorescent lamps without integrated ballast, for high intensity discharge lamps, and for ballasts and luminaires able to operate such lamps. However, there are several limitations, for instance very small HID lamps now increasingly popular in the retail sector are not covered.

Some of the requirements are:

• "Fat" linear T12 (and T10) halophosphate lamps will be banned from 2012 with the exception of lamps for special purposes.
• minimum requirements for performance of T8 and T5 linear lamps. This includes that T8 halophosphate lamps will be banned from 2010.
• Requirements on minimum lumen maintenance levels will be introduced.
• From 2017 (eight years after the regulation takes effect) all fluroescent lamps must be designed to work with an electronic ballast.
• From 2012 new luminaires must be sold with electronic ballasts and from 2017 magnetic ballasts will not be permitted even for replacement in existing luminaires.
• Minimum performance requirements for HID (High intensity discharge) lamps, which means phasing out of HPM (High-pressure mercury) lamps, although the largest wattages are phased out first.
• 90 % of the HPS (High-pressure sodium) lamps should have a life time of more than 16000 hours.
• Metal halogen lamps should have a minimum life time of 12000 h for 80 % (frosted) and 90 % (clear)
• Requirements of directional light sources for street lighting luminaires (not only HID) to reduce light pollution.
• Minimum performance requirements for all HID lamps to minimize mercury content.

The products covered are used in streets and offices, but also in other applications (e.g. industrial plants, shops, public buildings).

The regulation entered into force the 13 April 2009. A new working document covering additional aspects of the lighting system i treated in Lot 19 part 2.

Amendment of regulation

The European Lamp Companies' Federation (ELC) and the Federation of National Manufacturers' Associations for Luminaires and Electrotechnical Components for Luminaires in the EU (CELMA) have submitted a joint request for amending Regulation 245/2009. The proposal was discussed in Consultation Forum the 15th September 2009.

Standards

As the measurement methods for checking compliance with the requirements need to be set out in harmonised standards, a draft mandate has been issued to the European Standardisation Organisations to develop such methods. There is also a draft Commission communication indicating transitional measurement methods to be used as long as the harmonised standards are not available. The second draft is expected to be published in the OJ in April 2010.

Products & status