Starting from 1 September 2021 the new Commission Regulation will become applicable making new demands for light sources and separate control gears. We have already published one blog post concerning the Directive, in particular on the new energy labelling. In this blog post we shortly describe the contribution of Ecodesign directive to circular economy.
Until now, the Ecodesign Directive has been aiming to reduce the direct energy consumption of products and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, but the new regulation places particular emphasis on promoting circular economy. Following the Ecodesign rules is mandatory, with a few exceptions, for all light sources placed on the European market.*
With the regulation the European Commission wants to change the way we produce, use and dispose of goods. In addition to energy efficiency, the requirements concern, among other things, the durability, reusability, upgradeability, repairability and recyclability of products, all of which contribute to the beneficial use of materials and thereby reduce emissions and adverse environmental impacts of the product or service.
The new regulation encourages for replaceability of light sources and separate control gears. If the light source or separate control gear cannot be replaced with the use of common available tools and without damage to the containing product, it should be mentioned in the product packaging or technical documentation. Also, the information of the replaceablility of light source by an end user or a professional can be given in the same documentation. Placing the following pictograms on the packaging or technical documentation can cover all these requirements (there are separate pictograms for control gears).
In Valtavalo’s solutions, the light source can be easily installed and replaced in the luminaire and the topmost pictogram can be used.
1. Replaceable light (LED only) source by an end user
2. Replaceable light (LED only) source by a professional
3. Non-replaceable light source
Solution with replaceable light source is an ecological and sustainable choice. The solution is practically maintenance-free, and the lighting can be easily and quickly upgraded only by changing the light source, which in turn can easily bring significant savings in maintenance and operation costs.
So, when planning LED lighting in your premises, it is worthwhile to consider these things first:
1. Does the luminaire include fixed or replaceable light source?
2. What does it take to change the light source? Is it easily replaceable?
3. Can a broken luminaire be repaired (any spare parts available?), or should it be changed to a new one?
Read also our article about the new energy labelling.
Part three of this blog post series will be published later during spring. Stay connected to read that one as well!
*Emergency lights and lamps designed for special use in theaters, for example, or lamps sold in very small quantities per year (less than 200) are exempt from the requirements.
