Missed opportunity to correct new ecodesign & labelling rules (will impact customers)
Brussels, 26 February 2021 - The Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations adopted in December 2019 have been revised. An updated version has been published in the Official Journal of the EU today and enters into force in 3 days. LightingEurope members are disappointed that important changes requested by our association have not been included. Most of the new Ecodesign and the Energy Labelling rules start to apply on 1 September 2021.
LightingEurope experts suggested important changes to the regulations to allow private and professional users of light sources sustained access to the quality and safe light sources they need. The updated Ecodesign Regulation contains stroboscopic effect requirements with relevant consequences on the market. Products need to be redesigned to comply to the new strict requirements which may limit the availability of lamps to consumers, such as LED full glass lamps. The timeline published is very challenging for companies to adapt, this occurring in an already very difficult time for the industry due to the COVID-19 crisis.
We expect Member States authorities to make additional efforts to ensure full compliance of products placed on the market, which are imported from outside the EU.
The Ecodesign regulation can be downloaded at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2021.068.01.0108.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AL%3A2021%3A068%3ATOC; the Energy Labelling regulation at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2021.068.01.0062.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AL%3A2021%3A068%3ATOC.
LightingEurope has published guidelines to help companies understand and apply the complex rules and to help market surveillance authorities enforce them. Updated versions are in preparation and will be made available by mid-March 2021. LightingEurope will inform those that have registered about the availability of new guidelines: https://europeanlightingpriorities.eu/guidelines.php.
About LightingEurope
LightingEurope is the voice of the lighting industry, based in Brussels and representing 30 companies and national associations. Together these members account for over 1,000 European companies, a majority of which are small or medium-sized. They represent a total European workforce of over 100,000 people and an annual turnover exceeding 20 billion euro. LightingEurope is committed to promoting efficient lighting that benefits human comfort, safety and well-being, and the environment. LightingEurope advocates a positive business and regulatory environment to foster fair competition and growth for the European lighting industry. More information is available at www.lightingeurope.org.
Contact:
Axel Baschnagel, Communications Consultant - LightingEurope
