ABOUT THE CHANGES TO ENERGY RATING LABELS THIS YEAR Posted
Two regulations, which became effective in the EU on September 1st 2021, and will become effective in the UK on the 1st October 2021, have changed the way lighting energy efficiency is assessed and labelled, as well as the quality of light output of LED lamps and luminaires.
We are all familiar with the rainbow colour labelling scheme which gives a broad indication of the energy efficiency of a product. The Energy Labelling Regulation (ELR) introduced new technical parameters to determine this energy efficiency, so that the ratings are not like-for-like replacements for the previous scheme. As a result, even previously top-rated products achieving A++ (the maximum for lighting) are now likely to come in at anywhere from C to G.
This doesn’t mean that products previously rated A++ perform poorly for having a lower rating, just that the criteria for assessment has changed. You may have already seen this with white goods – such as fridge freezers – where online retailers are displaying labels from the old and new schemes together until we get used to the new one.
For lighting, there is an 18-month transition period applying which means that existing stocks with the old labels can be sold and displayed side-by-side with new items. From March 1st 2023, all products must display the new labels only.
However, many low-quality budget products won’t achieve even a G rating and will have to be removed from sale, improving the overall average performance and energy efficiency of goods on the market.
All light sources with an energy label will have a QR code which will direct you to the ‘EPREL’ register (or an official company website for UK-only products) where more detailed information about the product and its efficiency can be obtained. This can also be used for verification of compliance.
The new Single Lighting Regulation (SLR) relates to ‘light sources’* and stipulates certain performance criteria in terms of light output e.g. colour rendering, flicker, stroboscopic effect etc.
This more stringent focus on light performance will also see cheaper items removed from the market as upgrading them will be uneconomic, while certain types of lamp – such as compact fluorescents and most halogens, for instance – will effectively be phased out from September as they fail to meet the new criteria.
The SLR also places an obligation on manufacturers to improve the replaceability of component parts within luminaires, including a clear labelling scheme to specify which parts can be replaced by the end user or by a professional.
For peace of mind, you can rest assured that all lighting products from Knightsbridge comply with both the new ELR and SLR regulations. We have added energy ratings to all lighting product webpages on our website for complete transparency on this.
*For the purposes of the SLR, a ‘light source’ is defined as either a traditional or modern lamp, or a luminaire that cannot be dismantled without damaging it.