Lighting

Lighting products include light sources, such as light bulbs (halogen, compact fluorescent, etc) or LED modules/lamps.

Lighting products also include control gears (e.g. ballasts, electronic components, drivers), i.e. the devices needed to connect light sources to the electrical mains.

Energy labelling and ecodesign do not apply to lamps or luminaires (although a label previously applied until 25 December 2019). A luminaire is a complete electric light fixture that distributes, filters or transforms light from one or more lamps (for example a table, wall, or ceiling lamp).

Energy label

Following the rescaling of the EU energy label for light sources from 1 September 2021, the new labels use a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Because of the constant improvement in energy efficiency, most products under the original label had risen to A+ or A++ - and so a rescaling was made in order to be clearer to the consumer about which are the most efficient products on the market. [NB Existing stocks with the old label may still be sold in shops until 1 March 2023.] The labels provide information on the product’s

energy efficiency class
energy consumption

light labels

The European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL) offers detailed information on models placed on the EU market, by scanning the QR code featured on the new energy labels. The database provides information such as, the luminous flux, the color temperature and the cap type.

The legal framework is Regulation on energy labelling for light sources (EU) 2019/2015 that repeals and replaces Regulation (EU) No 874/2012.

Ecodesign requirements

Rules on ecodesign for lighting products are mandatory for all manufacturers and importers wishing to sell their products in the EU.

From 1 September 2021, the Regulation for ecodesign requirements for light sources and separate control gears (EU) 2019/2020 repeals and replaces (EC) No 244/2009, (EC) No 245/2009 and (EU) No 1194/2012 .

Energy savings

By switching to more energy efficient lighting products, you can save around €30 per year. More efficient lighting products will also allow Europe to save up to 34 TWh of electricity per year by 2030. This is close to the annual household electricity consumption of Ireland and Estonia together, and will prevent around 9 million tonnes of CO2 from being emitted every year.