New energy label for lamps from July

SINGAPORE - Consumers shopping for lamps can look out for a new energy label on the packaging from tomorrow (July 1).

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, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) today.

According to a survey conducted by NEA, lighting accounted for 4.3 per cent of the total household energy consumption and was among the top five types of energy-consuming household appliances and devices, after air-conditioner units, water heater, refrigerators, and computers or peripherals such as modems and routers.

Under the new energy rating system for lamps, there will be three efficiency bands. The highest efficiency level is denoted by three ticks and the lowest by a single tick.

Incandescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps with integrated ballasts (CFLi) and non-directional light emitting diode (LED) lamps must meet Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and comply with Mandatory Energy Labelling (MELS) from July 1.

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.

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

klim@sph.com.sg