UK Government Minster Explains Why The Government Are Backing Lighting

Business and energy minister Michael Fallon speaks to Lux about why the government is getting behind the lighting industry and the LIA's strategy.

Taiwan places restrictions on LED lighting efficacy

Earlier this month, the Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced that all LED lights must have a minimum efficacy of 70 lumens per watt. According to this new legislation, all indoor, warm-white LED lamps must have a minimum efficacy of 70lm/W while cool-white LEDs must reach a minimum of 75lm/W.

The Global Lighting Association (GLA) support the implementation of this legislation, their representative Michael Ng said: “Minimum efficacy requirements should be set at such a level that good-quality products are widely available and at an affordable price. The GLA globally support one minimum level of performance for lighting products, just like what is announced by Taiwan’s MOEA Bureau of Energy. This is very different from just an energy labelling scheme. In general this serves the purposes of ensuring safe and quality products for the consumers, maintaining interoperability and competition on performance. There are adequate surveillance and penalties in place to ensure that the vendors are truthful and the standards used are internationally harmonised.”

When asked about this new legislation, Thorn Lighting’s Head of Global Lighting Applications commented: “it’s an interesting turn of events, the move is clearly designed to discourage people using high colour temperature, or perhaps to encourage retailers or manufacturers to favour warmer light by making it easier to comply.

Although he is not sure the move will have a knock on effect: “whether it will catch on on a global scare is a difficult one. We see general disquiet over the use of high CCT in the outdoors in many countries. Generally it is not liked, but that may be a more historic thing. Previously such cold colours were simply not available. In some countries, South Africa for example, there is generally a wider acceptance of colder colours, less so in Europe.”

In Taiwan in 2013, lighting accounts for 10.9% of the country’s total power consumption, according to figures obtained by the MOEA’s Bureau of Energy (BOE). Residential lighting accounted for 40% of the total lighting power consumption. 

Barker’s For the Ban

Last week a hotly debated topic in the House of Commons was the European Union’s ban on incandescent lamps. 

Conservative MP for Bury North, David Nuttall proposed that as part of our renegotiation of membership of the EU, the UK should push for complete exemption from the ban on incandescent lamps.

The pan-European ban on incandescent lamps has seen the gradual introduction of energy efficient LED light sources since its introduction in 2009. Nuttall believes the UK should be given back “the right to be able to use whatever light bulbs we want without being told what to do by the EU”. 

Energy Minister Greg Barker highlighted the benefits of the ban stating “By having energy-efficient light bulbs we are driving innovation and driving down people’s electricity bills. We do not want to go back to having high-cost energy bills and turning our back on innovation.

Labour MP for Edinburgh East, Sheila Gilmore questioned whether those with photosensitive health conditions, for who LED lighting and fluorescent lighting can cause ill health, might be allowed to continue to use incandescent lamps.

Barker responded: “The UK is sympathetic to concerns raised about the potential health impacts of lighting. We want a flexible approach. And we want to ensure that the EU takes on board the health concerns that have been raised about these technologies.” He closes the debate by promising to press the European Commission to take this into account in the upcoming review.