The rating system will have three energy bands: The highest efficiency level is denoted by three ticks and the lowest by a single tick. This is to help buyers make more informed decisions when purchasing lamps, says NEA.

From Wednesday (Jul 1), new energy labels will be placed on lamps to help buyers make a more informed decision on the different types of energy-saving lamps in the market.

Based on a survey conducted by the National Environment Agency (NEA), lighting was among the top five types of energy-consuming household appliances and devices, the press release said.

The following types of lamps, commonly used in households, must meet Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and comply with Mandatory Energy Labelling (MELS) requirements from Wednesday, said NEA.

- Incandescent lamps (tungsten filament and tungsten halogen)

- Compact fluorescent lamps with integrated ballasts (CFLi) and

- Non-directional light emitting diode (LED) lamps.

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

“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,” said NEA.

To allow lamp importers, manufacturers and retailers time to clear their existing stocks of lamps, products that were supplied to the market before Jul 1, 2015, will be exempted from the MELS and MEPS requirements for one year.

Truong Duy