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    EPA publishes final Energy Star Lamps V1.0 specification

    Aug. 31, 2013
    The US Environmental Protection Agency has released the final version of the Energy Star Lamps V1.0 specification that will replace the existing Compact Fluorescent Lamps V4.3 and Integral LED Lamps V1.4 specifications in September 2014.

    After having circulated a final draft back in July, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now published the Energy Star Lamps V1.0 specification that will cover both LED-based retrofit lamps and legacy products such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Due to take effect on Sept 30, 2014, the final specification has minor additional changes and lamp manufacturers can immediately commission certification bodies (CBs) to begin testing products to the new specification. Indeed the relatively lengthy certification process is the primary reason the effective date was set more than a year out.

    The new lamps specification is a replacement for the prior independent Compact Fluorescent Lamps V4.3 and Integral LED Lamps V1.4 specifications. CBs will no longer certify products to the older specifications beginning May 30, 2014. On Sept 30, 2014, lamps certified to the prior standards will lose Energy Star status.

    There were a number of comments from both individual companies and industry associations to the final draft. Those comments led to the final changes. Some of the changes include simplification of color-maintenance testing required on lamps within a product family, and a slight widening of the ambient temperature range covered in testing.

    The changes also address some logistics issues. For instance lamps will have to carry identifying information that allows matching the product to Energy Star listings after the packaging has been discarded. Dimming requirements also received a final tweaking with a clarification on measurements for noise and flicker.

    The EPA also repeated its prior commitment to continuously study technology developments going forward. In particular, the agency said it would look for opportunities for lower-cost A-lamps that could be good options for consumers in replacing incandescent lamps without a compromise in energy efficiency relative to lamps that meet the V1.0 requirements.

    To see a more detailed list of the changes in the published spec or to review the actual document, see the complete set of information on the Energy Star Lamps webpage. Indeed you will find a cover letter distributed in the announcement of the published specification and even the comments that accompanied each draft of the specification.