New energy label for lamps to help consumers reap energy and life cycle cost savings

Singapore, 30 June 2015 – From 1 July 2015, consumers shopping for lamps can look out for a new energy label on the packaging. The new label will carry useful energy information to help buyers make a more informed decision on the different types of energy saving lamps in the market which best fit their lighting needs.

2          A survey, conducted by the National Environment Agency (NEA) on household energy consumption, revealed that lighting accounted for 4.3 per cent of the total household consumption and was among the top five types of energy-consuming household appliances and devices (refer to Annex A for a snapshot of household energy consumption by appliances/devices).

3          The following types of lamps, commonly used in households, must meet Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and comply with Mandatory Energy Labelling (MELS) requirements from 1 July 2015:

• Incandescent lamps (tungsten filament and tungsten halogen)
• Compact fluorescent lamps with integrated ballasts (CFLi) and
• Non-directional light emitting diode (LED) lamps.

(For a pictorial description on the various lamps, please refer to the leaflet in Annex B.)

4          Under the new energy rating system for lamps, there will be three efficiency bands (one to three ticks). The highest efficiency level is denoted by three ticks and the lowest by a single tick. Based on currently achievable efficiency and life cycle cost consideration, incandescent lamps will have to be at least rated one-tick efficiency, while CFLi and LED lamps have to be at least rated two-tick efficiency in order to meet the MEPS requirements.

5          The introduction of MEPS for lamps will eliminate the least efficient products in the market so that consumers will not be locked into the high energy and life cycle costs of inefficient lamps, while that of MELS will further improve these gains as the energy efficiency rating on the energy labels will encourage consumers to select more efficient lamps.

6          To allow lamp importers, manufacturers and retailers time to clear their existing stocks of lamps, products that were supplied to the market before 1 July 2015 will be exempted from the MELS and MEPS requirements for one year.

7          More details on MELS and MEPS for lamps can be found at http://www.nea.gov.sg/els

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ANNEX A

Breakdown of Household Energy Consumption by Appliances/Devices

ANNEX B

(Leaflet)

A Consumer Guide for Understanding the New Energy Label for Lamps