Lighting

Latest news

• Improving the energy efficiency of light bulbs

  We are working to improve the energy efficiency for light bulbs available in Australia and New Zealand.

  The Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council meet on 19 July 2024 and agreed to multiple recommendations put forward by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and supported by the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Committee.

  Visit Improving energy efficiency standards for appliances and Meetings and communiques on the energyrating.gov.au website for more information.

  One of the recommendations was to phase out inefficient halogen lamps where a light emitting diode (LED) equivalent is available. Updates are now planned to Minimum Energy Performance Standards in Australia for incandescent lamps, including mains voltage halogen, carbon, and tungsten filament reflector lamps. This will also narrow the range of low power decorative lamps available for sale within Australia under the new regulations.

  The other recommendation was to repeal determinations that currently cover ballast for fluorescent lamps, and transformers and electric step-down converters for Extra Low Voltage (ELV) halogen lamps. Specifically, these determinations are:

  • Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Ballasts for Fluorescent Lamps) Determination 2012
  • Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Transformers and Electronic Step-down Converters for ELV Lamps) Determination 2012

  Once the repeal of the determinations take effect, these products will not be regulated under the E3 Program.The decision to remove these requirements was reached after a review of the market and consultation with the public. The review considered many factors, including the costs for business and government to regulate these products, the energy savings to households and reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. It was decided that it was no longer efficient or effective to maintain Minimum Energy Performance Standards on these products.

  Advice will be communicated to registrants about all three determinations as soon as the determinations are registered.

  The recent decisions are part of a continued work program to improve the energy efficiency of lightbulbs.

  In 2018, Energy Ministers agreed to improve energy efficiency for light bulbs in Australia and New Zealand, including:

  • the removal of incandescent bulbs and inefficient halogen light bulbs from the Australian market, where an equivalent LED light bulb is available
  • the introduction of minimum standards for LED bulbs within Australia and New Zealand.

  Consideration of regulations for LED bulbs is still underway.

  The department commissioned research to understand recent lighting market developments and need for lighting regulations. This report will inform future lighting regulatory decisions. Summary of Potential Benefits to Economy, Households and Businesses:

  • at the national level, a combined benefit for consumers and business of around one billion dollars was estimated over ten years, with greenhouse gas abatement estimated at 1.5 million tonnes
  • households that change 10 halogen lamps to LED lamps with Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) would save more than $2000 over 10 years and 3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions
  • households that change 30 LED bulbs to a higher efficiency LED bulbs estimated net benefit of $38 over 10 years, assuming you changed from 93 lumens per watt (lm/w) to 98 lm/w)
  • a business operating LED tubes, changing from poor performing LED tubes (that would not meet the proposed MEPS) to significantly more efficient LED tubes, would gain significantly from improvements in efficacy due to LED MEPS. For example, a business operating 1000 LED tubes would save more than $30,000 and 85 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over 10 years. The improvement in LED tube efficacy, for the business sector, is based on testing of a relatively small sample group.

  LEDs are estimated to account for 60 to 80 per cent of the Australian market. Current average efficacy of LED lamps in the market is estimated to be between 88 lm/w and 93 lm/w. It is anticipated that proposed MEPS will over time increase the average efficacy by a minimum of 5 lm/w and remove lower quality and performing lamps from the market. The department is aware lamps are being sold to Australian consumers that are 75 lm/w which is relatively poor performing LED on energy use and abatement against average efficacy levels.

  The proposed LED regulation includes product descriptions and packaging requirements enabling consumers to make more informed choices. It proposes limits on photobiological safety which will minimise human health issues along with MEPS requirements to enhance energy savings and greenhouse emissions abatement.

  The department will continue to work with industry and other affected stakeholders to ensure the proposed regulations are fit for purpose and to minimise regulatory burden.

• Phase out of mercury in lighting products

  From 7 March 2022, Australia prohibited the import, export and manufacture of some compact fluorescent lamps, linear fluorescent lamps, high pressure mercury vapour lamps, and mercury in cold cathode fluorescent lamps and external electrode fluorescent lamps for electronic displays. There are some exemptions.

  This phase-out formed part of Australia’s commitments to reduce mercury pollution under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

  For more details and information on these changes please see Minamata Convention on Mercury - Sector specific guidance on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s website.