Lighting in Design Q2 2024

New specifications for lighting to boost SA energy efficiency

tally harmful lighting products. The Reg ulator intends to phase out all inefficient electric lamps used for general lighting by 2026 and ensure consumer safety against non-compliant lamps in the market. The regulations will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1, commencing in May 2024, will introduce the minimum energy efficiency level for general service lamps in the South African market. Phase 2, starting in May 2026, will further improve efficiency levels to completely phase out the use of incandescent and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) for general lighting in South Africa. These regulations will promote the use of highly efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology to contribute to the needed reduction in electricity demand and costs for consumers. LED lamps are approximately 85% more efficient than incandes cent lamps and 40% more efficient than CFLs. They also have a longer lifespan of up to 20,000 hours (around 12 years, assuming 4 hours of operation per day) and do not contain toxic gases like mer cury, which is found in CFLs. It is expected that the introduction of these regulations will save consumers up to R12 billion over 15 years and result in energy savings of about 300GW over a 10-year period, helping the country meet its high electricity demand.

To significantly reduce electricity consumption and promote energy-efficient lighting in South Africa, Ebrahim Patel, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, has withdrawn the compulsory specifications for single-capped fluorescent lamps and incandescent lamps. These will be replaced by the com pulsory specification for safety requirements of general service lamps, as gazetted on 24 May 2024. The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) introduced two new compulsory specifications (VCs 9109 & 9110) to address the energy crisis crippling the South African economy and affecting livelihoods. According to the NRCS, the compulsory specifications VC 9109 for energy efficiency and functional performance require ments of general service lamps (GSLs) and VC 9110 for safety requirements of general service lamps, will help tackle the country’s energy issues. The new specifications aim to enhance the safety, perfor mance, and energy efficiency of lightbulbs sold in South Africa. Additionally, they seek to eliminate inefficient and environmen SA Treasurey announce lamp exclusions Despite the implementation of the new lighting regulations in South Africa, incandescent and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs will remain on shelves for some time. According to a local manufacturer, a sales permit will be available to continue stocking low-efficiency lamps until the end of 2024. The regulations also include several exclusions, allowing these lamps to be sold for specific purposes, such as use inside a braai or for warming. The ban specifically excludes the following types of lamps: • Lights for chemical or biological processes, including animal care, horticulture, and UV curing • L ights for image projection • S ignalling lights • S tudio and theatre lighting • L ighting for scenes or objects with negative effects on certain light sources • E mergency lighting • L ighting for ambient temperatures over 120°C This means high-energy-consuming bulbs will likely continue to be sold, but only for specialised applications and not for gen

Source: www.esi-africa.com

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eral-purpose lighting. “This complements the phase-out of inefficient light bulbs and promotes compliance with the new energy efficiency standards published in May 2023 by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Compe tition,” states Treasury.

Source: www.businesstech.co.za

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LiD Q1 - 2024