Australia considers implementing NZ lighting label

Australia is currently examining the option to implement the New Zealand Energy Star program for LED and CFL lighting, said Melanie Slade, Director, Lighting and Equipment Energy Efficiency, Australian Government in her recent keynote address at SPARC Design 2012. The event is a celebration of lighting design presented by Australia’s lighting industry in conjunction with Vivid Sydney. It showcases some of the best lighting designs in the region attracting allied professions, suppliers and manufacturers in different sectors including electrical contractors, facility managers, building/project management, lighting and industrial design, major end users of architectural, retail and commercial lighting amongst others.

The NZ Energy Star LED specification was launched to the NZ lighting industry on 30 June 2011.The NZ specification is based on the US Energy Star program, which is a joint program of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. The star is awarded to around the top 25% most energy-efficient products in a category.

The Australian Government is also considering several other actions at the national level to improve energy efficiency. These include: consideration of an interim ‘basic’ minimum performance standard that would be based on currently available international work including international IEC standards and outcome of IEZ4ESSL performance level; consultation with local industry; development of consumer guidance; consideration of cooperation with New Zealand on Energy Star for LEDs. The government is also contemplating reviewing the current minimum energy performance standard (MEPS) for linear and fluorescent lamps and ballasts; examining energy-efficiency measures for circular fluorescent lamps, non-self-ballasted CFLs; considering options for improved energy efficiency for standard commercial lighting luminaires. Australia has already phased out non-compliant, extra-low-voltage halogen reflector lamps and the 50 W dichroic or mirror back reflector 12 V halogen lamps.

In her address, Slade said that Australia only produces around 1.5% of the world’s CO₂ emissions; but if you look at emissions per capita per person, Australia is one of the biggest emitters in the world. In Australia, 27.4 tonnes CO₂ is emitted per person. Beyond reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency can help businesses adjust to competitive pressures through reduced costs, improve comfort levels in workplaces and homes, and help households save money.

While Australia doesn’t compare well in the international context, emissions reductions are being achieved. The country expects to achieve total emissions reductions of 42.6 million tonnes in 2020 by implementing a number of energy-efficiency measures nationally. To be part of the global solution and influence outcomes of international negotiations it is essential that Australia shows some leadership in this field, Slade added. The two key policy tools currently being used to improve efficiency are - minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and energy rating labels (ERLs).

Opportunities for energy efficiency, said Slade, exist all around us - in homes, businesses, commercial buildings, industrial processes, in our transport system and the energy supply infrastructure. There are several energy-efficiency programs being run nationally to improve efficiency. These include: equipment energy efficiency program (E3); energy-efficiency requirements: building codes, mandatory disclosure requirements: buildings; phase-out of incandescent lighting and inefficient water heaters. These programs form part of the national strategy for energy efficiency which is agreed by the Commonwealth states and territory governments.

The LED lighting technology is developing rapidly but testing of LED products currently available in the marketplace indicates a wide variation in quality and efficacy, noted Slade. Some claims on packaging are misleading and the government is concerned that consumers’ willingness to buy the products in future will be impacted by their experience of expensive, poor quality LEDs. Negative perception could reduce the uptake of efficient lighting and reduce savings that could be gained from adoption of this new technology.