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What is SSL?

In the next few years, about 8 billion incandescent bulbs in the homes of nearly 500 million European citizens will have to be replaced by more energy efficient lighting systems. These systems include compact fluorescent bulbs and a new lighting technology: Solid State Lighting (SSL).

SSL is lighting based on light emitting diode (LED) and organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology. It will become the most energy-efficient and versatile lighting technology in the market over the next few years, offering both high quality light and visual performance and new architectural and design options for more comfort and well-being.

SSL will replace current lighting systems in almost all applications: starting with automotive lighting, traffic lights, street lights and architectural lighting of building exteriors, it will continue with indoor lighting of offices, commercial and public buildings and homes.

SSL offers better visual comfort and savings in both energy and money in the long term. Moreover, this replacement will also have a huge impact on the market and will be a key driver for profitable growth, and new business opportunities for Europe's lighting, luminaire and lighting services industries.

What is the Green Paper about?

Despite SSL's many advantages, barriers to wider take-up in the market exist and need to be explored further.

In the Green Paper the Commission will outline a number of possible new policy initiatives and initiate a public debate in Europe on

• accelerating the pace of SSL take-up in Europe and
• supporting the innovation and competitiveness of the European lighting sector.

A large number of stakeholders, including those from the supply and the demand side, will be invited to share their views. This includes consumers and professional users, the lighting and construction industries, the buildings sector, architects, lighting designers, electrical installers and public authorities.

The Green Paper on SSL will be launched as part of the Digital Agenda for Europe, but will link to other EU flagship initiatives of the EU 2020 strategy, notably the Energy Efficiency Plan 2011, the Key Enabling Technologies initiative and the next EU Research and Innovation Programme 'Horizon 2020' under the Innovation Union, the new Industrial Policy, Green Public Procurement, and the new Common Strategic Framework for Cohesion policy 2014-2020.