• Global Lighting Association endorses new United Nations Model Regulation Guidelines for conventional consumer lamps for developing and emerging economies, noting that the guidelines stimulate simpler, more harmonized and better enforced regulations.
• The Guidelines lay the groundwork for phasing out inefficient lamps in countries considering efficiency standards for lighting, potentially saving consumers and businesses $18 billion globally each year.
• The endorsement is significant because the Global Lighting Association represents over 5,000 lighting manufacturers and $75 billion annual sales.

The Global Lighting Association has endorsed new United Nations Model Regulation Guidelines for conventional consumer lamps for developing and emerging economies (full title of endorsed document is Model Regulation Guidelines: Energy Efficiency and Functional Performance Requirements for General Service Lamps). Established as part of UN Environment’s United for Efficiency initiative, the Model Regulation Guidelines have the potential to help developing and emerging economies save up to $18 billion in electricity costs while  possibly reducing as much as 160 million tonnes of global carbon emissions by 2030. The Global Lighting Association will communicate the guidance to its members and support outreach to countries with developing and emerging economies.

We are excited that the Global Lighting Association is giving their full support for these guidelines. The Model Regulation Guidelines can help countries meet their environmental goals, improve public health, and save money,“ said Mark Radka, Chief, Energy and Climate Branch of UN Environment.

The timing is right for the Guidelines. About 15 per cent of global electricity is used for lighting, and when economies grow, the demand for lighting goes up. There are also billions of inefficient incandescent and halogen lamps installed and still being sold around the world. For economies contemplating the establishment of new regulations, the Guidelines can significantly expedite the process.

“The Guidelines are a good match with one of the strategic priorities of the Global Lighting Association—that is, to simplify global lighting regulations by making them more harmonized. In addition, enforcement can be improved. With only a few essential parameters being regulated, certification costs will be lower and companies will have room to differentiate their products,” said Bryan Douglas, Secretary General of the Global Lighting Association

The Guidelines contain all essential elements to ensure consumers’ satisfaction with High-efficiency lamps meeting the requirements of the two options presented in the Guidelines.

Currently, the Model Regulation Guidelines are being distributed to interested countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Countries implementing the regulation will also reduce trade barriers and provide opportunities for sharing resources, such as testing facilities.

The Guidelines were developed together by public and private stakeholders, all sharing the common objective to accelerate the transition towards energy-efficient lighting.

Leading international businesses Signify and Topten as well as environmental organisation Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have endorsed the Guidelines.