Understanding the ErP Directive

Dave Ellis, National Sales Manager – Specification at Osram, provides an overview of the phase out, discusses the implications that it will have on electrical wholesalers and examines what you need to know about the latest energy efficient products.

In April, the EU began a phase out of standard halophosphate tubes – a mainstay of the industrial and office lighting sectors. As such a popular product disappears from your shelves, it is important that you become familiar with the EU legislation that is enforcing this phase out as part of a wider removal of the most inefficient lighting products for domestic and professional applications. You must look to the future and to the energy efficient alternatives that are available in order to provide your customers with the best possible lighting products that comply with the directive.

Make the switch

The phase out of inefficient lighting solutions is taking place as part of the EU’s Energy-Related Product (ErP) Directive. Artificial light accounts for around 19% of global energy consumption so there is huge scope to reduce carbon emissions by enforcing a switch to more efficient lamps and lighting controls.

So what does the phase out mean for the professional products that you stock?

Manufacturers are no longer able to put the banned products into the market so you cannot buy in further stock once a product falls under the terms of the ban and you must sell out existing stock knowing that you will not be able to replenish this. When a customer comes in and finds that the product they require is no longer available, you will have to ensure that you can offer a highly efficient alternative. The key is to work with lighting manufacturers and stock alternatives that comply with the phase out. By familiarising yourself with the latest lighting solutions, you will be well prepared for the future.

The ErP Directive features a number of phases. The first stage was implemented in September 2009 and focused on the phase out of incandescent GLS lamps. At the moment GLS lamps of more than 80W below EEI category C and frosted lamps that are not in EEI category A are no longer allowed to be put onto the market and further lamps and wattages will come under the terms of the ban in 12-month stages.

Compact fluorescent and energy efficient halogen lamps have emerged as the successors for the gap left in the market by the removal of GLS lamps. These lamps ensure that your customers can find the perfect lamp for whatever project they are working on.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) provide energy savings of 80% and last up to 20 times longer. These are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, bases and wattages to suit all requirements and the latest solutions are extremely efficient and feature fast start-up times.

Energy efficient halogen lamps are also an ideal replacement for GLS lamps. Providing 30% energy savings, these lamps are all fully dimmable, have excellent quality of light, high luminous efficacy and exceptional colour consistency over their whole life.

From April 2010, the tertiary implementing measures (TIM) of the ErP Directive went into force starting with the phase out of inefficient fluorescent tubes. In contrast to the phase out of GLS lamps that began in September 2009, TIM focuses on the phase out of the most inefficient street, office and industrial lighting solutions.

Basic T8 tubes are in the process of being phased out and basic T12 tubes will follow in 2012. Fluorescent tubes are a mainstay of the professional lighting sector so the phase out of basic halophosphate tubes will undoubtedly affect many people.

An alternative

The good news is that there highly efficient alternatives available to replace basic fluorescent tubes in the form of LUMILUX triphosphor tubes. Lamps in this range comply with EU regulations and benefit from high luminous flux, high luminous efficacy and excellent colour rendering and significantly boost the efficiency of a building when installed with electronic control gear (ECG). As well as providing energy and cost savings through reduced energy consumption they provide substantial maintenance cost savings due to their long lifetime.

From 2012, high intensity discharge lamps will be affected by the phase out. The most inefficient high pressure sodium lamps will be removed from the market, but significantly the efficient alternatives that are already available on the market benefit from higher luminous efficacy, longer lifetime and lower early failure rate. By making the switch to the efficient versions sooner rather than later, your customers will be able to rest assured that they can replace their lamps like-for-like in the future and they can reap savings in the meantime.

From 2015, all HQL mercury vapour lamps will be phased out, but these can be replaced with the Future NAV-E Plug-in that offers better lumen maintenance, up to 15% energy saving, and up to 30% higher luminous efficacy.

The tertiary implementing measures of the ErP Directive will see the removal of lamps that have dominated the office, street and industrial lighting sectors over the past years, but the alternatives that are available offer significant benefits. Undoubtedly it will take a period of adjustment before people are completely familiar with the alternatives, but knowing that they offer significant benefits over their inefficient predecessors should be a good enough incentive to get to grips with them.

New opportunities

Aside from the direct replacements for banned products that can be put into existing fittings, customers can consider completely new possibilities by switching from traditional lighting technology to LED light sources. From LED modules for efficient street lighting to LED lamps and luminaires that can be used throughout facilities to provide general illumination, there is now a versatile LED solution for any application. The initial investment in LED lighting technology will payback very quickly due to the low power consumption of LEDs (80% less than conventional GLS/incandescent light sources) and long lifetime which reduces maintenance costs.

Osram recently launched its LEDVANCE Downlight range that proves that LED solutions are a real alternative to conventional technology for general illumination. Easy-to-install, energy-saving luminaires in this range provide high-quality lighting for sophisticated designs. With an efficiency of at least 50lm/W, a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours, outstanding energy efficiency and corresponding savings in energy costs, and a short payback period, these luminaires provide excellent light while reaping numerous benefits for the end user. If your customers want a complete change from light sources that are being banned by the EU, LED solutions are the answer.

By ensuring that you stock a complete range of the most efficient lamps available on the market, you will be able to provide your customers with the perfect solution for any application no matter what their requirements.

Over the next few years there will be significant changes to the lighting products that can legally be sold in the EU. To ensure that you do not get caught out, make certain that you are completely up-to-date on which lamps are being phased out and check with your local lighting representative if you have any questions. Once lamps that you currently stock fall under the terms of the ErP Directive, don’t worry because there is a highly efficient replacement product that can fill the gap it leaves.

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