Proposed Requirements for Lighting Products: General Labelling, Verification, Test Data, Reporting and Importing

Bulletin – May 2006

General Service Fluorescent Lamps
Medium Base (Integrally Ballasted) Compact Fluorescent Lamps
General Service Incandescent Lamps (Reflector and Non-Reflector)

The Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is proposing to amend Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations) under which dealers of general service fluorescent lamps, medium base (integrally ballasted) compact fluorescent lamps, and general service incandescent lamps (both reflector and non-reflector) imported or shipped inter-provincially for sale in Canada would be required to comply with specific testing and labelling requirements for product light output, input wattage and rated lifetime.

This document serves to provide stakeholders with background information on the content of the proposal. It will be distributed formally to stakeholders and posted on the website to obtain comments or questions. Subject to the commentary received, the first opportunity to implement this Amendment would likely as early as 2007.

The purpose of the Amendment is two-fold:

• To help Canadian consumers chose energy efficient lamps;
• To harmonize with United States federal requirements on product packaging requirements with respect to disclosing performance and lifetime information on lighting products.

1.0 Background

In recent years the availability and affordability of energy efficient lighting products has increased significantly. Consumers are faced with a myriad of choices and often the information required to identify energy efficient products is not readily available. Consumers are demanding energy efficient products and it is important that consistently presented, accurate information be provided to them upon which they can make their choices.

In the United States product packaging for the product types identified in this proposal is required to provide information on light output in lumens, energy used in Watts and average lifetime in hours. The labelling requirements provide the means for consumers to compare lamps based on light output in lumens rather than watts. Because competing lamp products may provide the same lumen output at varying wattage ratings, this information enables purchasers to reduce their energy costs for lighting by purchasing lamps products that provide the lumens they need at the lowest wattage ratings.

In Canada, current packaging generally shows wattage, and consumers are accustomed to comparing based on wattage instead of light output. Mandatory labelling will also create a level playing field for manufacturers/dealers of lighting products. This proposal will help provide verifiable and reliable information to the Canadian consumer and ensure that the product they are purchasing will perform as stated.

2.0 Product Description

All definitions and test standards for products that are currently prescribed products in the Energy Efficiency Regulations are those contained in the Regulations and in the proposed Amendment.

This labelling proposal would apply to four product types:

2.1 General Service Fluorescent Lamps

This product category is defined as a general service fluorescent lamp with:

1. a rapid-start straight-shaped fluorescent lamp with a nominal overall length of 1200 mm (48 inches), a medium bi-pin base and a nominal power of not less than 28 W;
2. a rapid-start straight-shaped fluorescent lamp with a nominal overall length of 2400 mm (96 inches), a recessed double-contact base, a nominal power of not less than 95 W and a nominal current of 0.8 A;
3. a rapid-start U-shaped fluorescent lamp with a nominal overall length of not less than 560 mm (22 inches) and not more than 635 mm (25 ), a medium bi-pin base and a nominal power of not less than 28 W;
4. an instant-start straight-shaped fluorescent lamp with a nominal overall length of 2400 mm (96 inches), a single-pin base and a nominal power of not less than 52 W; and
5. any fluorescent lamp that is a physical and electrical equivalent of a lamp described in paragraphs a), b), c) or d);

but does not include:

6. a fluorescent lamp that is specifically marked and marketed for plant-growth use;
7. a cold-temperature fluorescent lamp; or
8. a coloured fluorescent lamp; or
9. a fluorescent lamp designed to be impact-resistant; or
10. a reflectorized or aperture fluorescent lamp; or
11. a fluorescent lamp designed for use in reprographic equipment; or
12. a fluorescent lamp primarily designed to produce ultraviolet radiation; or
13. a fluorescent lamp with a colour-rendering index of 82 or greater

2.2.2 General Service Incandescent Reflector Lamps

This product category is as a general service incandescent reflector lamp:

1. with an R, PAR, BR, ER or bulb shape similar to R, PAR, BR or ER as described by ANSI 79.1;
2. an E26 / 24 single contact, or E26/50x39 skirted medium screw base;
3. with a nominal voltage or voltage range that lies at least partially between 100 volts and 130 volts
4. with a diameter greater than 70 mm (2.75 inches)
5. has a nominal power of not less than 40 watt and not more than 205 watts.

but does not include:

6. coloured lamps; or
7. lamps that:
   1. are of rough (or vibration service);
      1. a C-11 filament, as described in the IES Handbook, with five supports exclusive of lead wires;
      2. a C-17 filament, as described in the IES Handbook, with eight supports exclusive of lead wires; or
      3. a C-22 filament, as described in the IES Handbook, with 16 supports exclusive of lead wires; or
         1. have a lens containing at least 5% neodymium oxide; or
         2. are impact resistant lamps; or
         3. are for plant growth use
8. infrared heat lamps; or
9. lamps used in mines, airfield, aircraft, automotive, marine, aquarium, terrarium or vivarium applications; or
10. a bulb shape designated BR (see figure 1) with:
    1. a diameter of 95.25 mm (BR30) or less and a rated power less than 66 watts; or
    2. a diameter of 95.25 mm (BR30) and a rated power of 85 watts; or
    3. a diameter of 120.65 mm to 127 mm (BR 38 to BR 40) and a rated power of less than 121 watts.
11. bowl mirror lamps; or
12. lamps for heat sensitive applications.

2.3. General Service Incandescent Lamps

General service incandescent lamps (including tungsten-halogen lamps, but not including General Service Incandescent Reflector Lamps) are defined as those that

1. have a rated wattage of 30 or higher,
2. an E26 medium screw base,
3. a rated voltage or voltage range at least partially within 115 and 130 volts; and;
4. which can be used to satisfy the majority of lighting applications, but does not include any lamp specifically designed for:
   1. traffic signal, or street lighting services;
   2. airway, airport or other aviation service;
   3. marine or marine signal service;
   4. photo, projection, sound reproduction, or film viewer service;
   5. stage, studio, or television service;
   6. mill, saw mill, or other industrial process service;
   7. mine service;
   8. headlight, locomotive, street, railway, or other transportation service;
   9. heating service;
   10. code beacon, marine signal, lighthouse, reprographic, or other communication service;
   11. medical or dental service;
   12. microscope, map, microfilm, or other specialized equipment service;
   13. swimming pool or other underwater service;
   14. decorative or showcase services;
   15. producing coloured light;
   16. shatter resistance which as an external protective coating; or
   17. appliance service.

2.4. Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) refer to an integrally ballasted fluorescent lamp with a medium screw base and a rated input voltage of 115 to 130 volts and which are designed as a direct replacement for a general service incandescent lamp, and which include:

1. Medium-based, CFLs with integral ballasts;
2. Circline lamps with a maximum diameter of 230 mm (9 in) and square lamps, with a maximum side length of 200 mm (8 in) with medium base ballast that are tested and packaged with the lamp.
3. Medium-based CFLs with integral ballasts, which have a translucent cover over the bare fluorescent tube. The cover may be globe, bullet, pear, torpedo or any other shape.
4. Medium-based CFLs with integral ballasts, which have a reflector that may be open or enclosed. The lamp shall be primarily intended to replace wide beam incandescent reflector lamps.

3.0 Energy Performance Test Procedures

3.1. General Service Fluorescent Lamps:

The currently regulated energy performance test procedures for general service fluorescent lamps are prescribed, CAN/CSA C819-95 Performance of General Service Fluorescent Lamps.

3.2. General Service Incandescent Reflector Lamps:

The currently regulated energy performance test procedures for general service incandescent reflector lamps are CAN/CSA C862-01 Performance of Incandescent Reflector Lamps.

3.3. General Service Incandescent Lamps :

The following are the proposed test procedures for general service incandescent lamps

Input Power and Light Output:

IESNA LM-45-00: IESNA Approved Method Electrical and Photometric Measurement for General Service Incandescent Lamps

Rated Lifetime:

IESNA LM-49-01: IESNA Approved Method for Testing of Filament Lamps

3.4. Compact Fluorescent Lamps

The following are the proposed test procedures for Compact Fluorescent Lights

Input Power and Light Output:

Testing shall be done in accordance to: IESNA LM-66-00 IESNA Approved Method for the Electrical and Photometric Measurements of Single-Ended Compact Fluorescent Lamps. The input power to the unit at rated supply voltage shall not exceed the rated value by more than 10% plus 0.5 watts as specified in ANSI C78.5 Specifications for Performance of Self-Ballasted Compacted Fluorescent Lamp.

Rated Lifetime:

IESNA LM-65-01 IESNA Approved Method for Life Testing of Compact Fluorescent Lamps

These standards may be ordered from:

Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
5060 Spectrum Way, Suite 100
Mississauga, Ontario
L4W 5N6
1 800 463-6727; (747-4044 in Toronto)

The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)

American National Standard Institute (ANSI)

or by contacting:

IHS Canada
1 Antares Dr, Suite 210
Ottawa, Ontario
K2E 8C4
Tel: 800-267-8220 Ext: 436
Fax: 613-237-4251

4.0 Economic And Environment Analysis

Mandatory labelling of lighting products will provide better information on products being sold in Canada. It is anticipated that this action will encourage the use of energy efficient products that result in energy and economic savings in the long term.

Studies have shown that consumers rely on product packaging to obtain comparative information on a product in order to evaluate it against competing products with the same duty or end-use. A discreet choice analysis of the use of EnerGuide label for major household appliances indicates that the label was a significant factor in the choice of an energy efficiency product.

The potential for energy savings through the promotion and use of more energy efficient lighting is high, particularly in the residential sector, where incandescent lights provide most of the lighting requirements in a residence. From 1990 to 2002, total energy use in a home associated with lighting has increased by 15.7%, representing the second highest electrical use increase in the home. Lighting in this sector, represents approximately 4.3% of a residential energy bill (figures based on 2002 data taken from NRCan's Energy Use Data Handbook).

In the commercial sector, where lighting is the single highest electricity usage, representing 13% of the total energy consumed in a building there is a large potential to increase the efficiency of a lighting system to more energy efficient light sources.

5.0 EFFECTIVE DATE

NRCan is proposing that the mandatory labelling, verification, test data, reporting and importing requirements for the lighting products identified in this bulletin come into effect on March 01, 2007.

6.0 Labelling Requirements: Mandatory Text On Packaging

Labelling in this proposal is defined as a prescribed way of disclosing information about performance and life of a lamp. Because packaging and lamp size, and number of lamps included in the package vary, Natural Resources Canada is not prescribing a specific label design; rather, the proposal is to require mandatory text to be placed prominently on the package, clearly and conspicuously, on the package's principle display panel. The text will always be either bilingual (with the English text appearing first and then French), or the French and English text in a separate location however, both languages must appear on the packaging.

The following are the disclosure requirements:

1. Disclosures on light output, energy used in watts and life must appear in that order and be clear, conspicuous, and easy to read.
2. Design voltage of each lamp in the package, if other than 120 volts will also appear.
3. Information is to be presented in English and in French, in the following consecutive order, and in the format shown below:
   1. 'Light Output' 'Flux lumineux' followed by the lumens number and the word: 'lumens'
   2. 'Energy Used' 'Consommation énergétique' followed by the watts number and the word: 'watts'
   3. 'Life' 'Durée de vie' followed by the life number and the words: 'Hours' 'heures'. The words 'Hours' 'heures' should be placed either following the word 'life' or directly after the number.
4. The words: 'Light Output', 'Flux Lumineux', 'Energy Used' 'Consommation énergétique' and 'Life', 'Durée de vie', must all be of equal size and in the same typestyle
5. The numbers for Light Output, Energy Used and Life must be of equal size and in the same typestyle. In accordance with the metric system, spaces are to be used to separate digital digits in sets of three.
6. The words directly following the numbers: 'lumens', 'watts', 'Hours', 'heures' must all be of equal size and in the same typestyle, however, they must be approximately 50 percent of the size of the words : 'Light Output', 'Flux lumineux', 'Energy Used' 'Consommation énergétique' and 'Life', 'Durée de vie'.
7. Under the disclosures of performance and life, the following statement is to be added :
   
   To save energy and costs, find the bulbs with the light output you need, then choose the one with the lowest watts.
   
   Pour économiser énergie et argent, choisir une ampoule en tenant d'abord compte du flux lumineux, puis du plus bas wattage.

Illustration:
Note: This illustration shows the elements and relative sizes of the required disclosures. The size of the display panel will vary depending on the available space on the packaging. The information can be displayed horizontally or vertically. The panel should not be smaller than 7 cm.

In addition to the above, specific labelling information would have to be made for the following product categories below:

For General Service Incandescent Lamps:

Labelling for this product should also identify:

1. number of lamps included in the package, if there is more than one
2. design voltage of the lamps, if they are other than 120 volts
3. light output of each lamp included in the package, expressed in average initial lumens
4. electrical power (energy used) of each lamp included in the packed, expressed in average initial wattage
5. life of each lamp included in the package, expressed in hours.

For incandescent lamps that operate with multiple filaments (for example tri-lights), the light output and wattage at each level of operation and the lamp's life, measured on the basis of the filament that fails first, must be disclosed.

These disclosures must be based on the operation of the lamp at 120 volts, regardless of the lamp's design voltage. If the lamp's voltage is not 120 volts, each disclosure of light output, wattage, and life must be followed by the words: at 120 volts.

7.0 Verification And Test Data Requirements

7.1 General Service Fluorescent Lamps and Incandescent Reflector Lamps

The Energy Efficiency Regulations currently require that these products bear an energy efficiency verification mark indicating that the energy performance of the product has been verified and comply with the appropriate energy performance standard.

The energy performance verification mark is authorized by a Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredited certification body that is recognized by NRCan as an administrator of an energy performance verification program for this product.

NRCan will also accept labels issued by a province indicating that the product meets the provincial energy efficiency levels as a verification mark, providing that the provincial level is equivalent to or exceeds the federally regulated level if any.

Test data is valid product test data from an SCC accredited laboratory or a laboratory accredited under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accredited Program for energy efficient lighting products (NAVLAP). Upon NRCan's request, the dealer must submit valid test data. Test data cannot be older than 18 months from the date requested by NRCan.

7.2 General Service Incandescent Lamps

NRCan is proposing that verification or test data not be required for these products; however the dealer/manufacturer must demonstrate when requested by NRCan, that the product meets the stated performance disclosures by way of valid test data in accordance with section 3.3 of this bulletin.

7.3 Medium Base (integrally ballasted) Compact Fluorescent

NRCan is proposing that these products can:

• bear an energy efficiency verification mark from an SCC accredited certification body,
• OR,
• the dealer must have the product's test results from an SCC accredited laboratory or a laboratory accredited under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accredited Program for energy efficient lighting products (NVLAP)

8.0 New And Existing Energy Efficiency Reporting Requirements

The energy efficiency report required for these lighting products will include the following information: (Note: input voltage must be 120V and frequency must be 60 Hz when testing electrical performance of the product) For all Products:

• type of product (eg Compact Fluorescent Lights)
• brand name, model number and manufacturer
• the name of the organization or province that carried out the verification and authorized the verification mark that will be affixed to the product packaging; OR the SCC accredited laboratory or NAVLAP accredited laboratory (* except for general service incandescent lamps)

In addition, for the General Service Fluorescent Lamps and the General Service Incandescent Reflector lamps, refer to product-specific requirements in as found in Schedule IV of the Energy Efficiency Regulations, As well, the following new product-specific requirements are proposed:

8.1 General Service Fluorescent Lamps

1. rated life (hours)
2. initial lumen output

8.2 General Service Incandescent Reflector Lamps

1. rated life (Hours)
2. initial lumen output

8.3 General Service Incandescent Lamps

(new reporting – reporting would identify information that will appear on the packaging, based on Section 3.3. of this Bulletin)

1. lamp class as specified in ANSI C78.21 Table 1 of Part II
2. input voltage (V) if the unit is other than 120 Volts
3. nominal power (W)
4. initial light output (lumens)
5. rated life (Hours)

8.4. Compact Fluorescent Lamps

1. input voltage (V)
2. total current (A)
3. nominal power (W)
4. power factor (%)
5. initial Light Output (lumens)
6. rated Life (Hours)

NOTE: The current energy efficiency reporting requirement for third party verified energy performance data will be encouraged.

This energy efficiency report must be submitted by the dealer to the Minister of Natural Resources Canada before the product is imported to Canada or traded interprovincially for the first time.

9.0 Importing Requirements

NRCan does not propose any changes to the importing requirements currently in place, that is:

Dealers/importers must provide the following information on import documents or via electronic transmissions:

• name of product (ex: compact fluorescent lamp)
• model number
• brand name (if any)
• address of the importer
• purpose of the importation (ex: for sale or lease in Canada; for modification; for export)

More information on the current verification, reporting and importing requirements is available in the Guide to Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations at: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/regulations/guide.cfm>

10.0 Harmonization

NRCan attempts, as much as possible, to harmonize with other regulatory agencies. This proposed amendment to the Regulations is harmonized with the US Federal Trade Commission's requirements on labelling of lighting products in the Appliance Labelling Rule. As such, the lamp labelling requirements with respect to light output, nominal power and life will be harmonized.

For compact fluorescent lamps, the test standards listed above are harmonized with those that are referenced in the ENERGY STAR Eligibility Criteria in both the US and Canada.

11.0 Comments Invited

The information in the Bulletin is being issued in advance of prepublication in the Canada Gazette to allow time for concerned parties to comment on the proposal. All correspondence should be forwarded to: