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General service fluorescent lamps

July 2022

Technical bulletin on amending the standards

On April 1, 2022, the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) updated its Forward Regulatory Plan which identifies its intention to amend Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations) to increase the scope of  general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs).

This technical bulletin has been released to initiate the consultation process and to collect stakeholder views on the requirements being considered for GSFLs.

Input received during this stage of the process will inform the development of the next amendments considered. In addition, NRCan will undertake a cost-benefit analysis using the best available Canadian market data to assess the economic and environmental impacts of these updated standards and to ensure Canadian consumers and businesses benefit from their implementation.

The Government of Canada intends to pre-publish a regulatory proposal in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in 2023.

Background

In Canada, GSFLs manufactured as of December 31, 1996, are subject to the Regulations.

GSFLs contribute to the total residential, commercial, and industrial building energy consumption. The proposed energy efficiency standards for GSFLs would save energy and reduce energy costs for Canadians. The efficiency standards would also reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and help encourage manufacturers to adopt efficient product designs.

The Government of Canada is committed to improving energy efficiency standards for consumer, commercial, and industrial products to reduce energy consumption and support the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. In this context, where feasible and appropriate, energy efficiency standards for some products could, for climatic and market reasons, exceed the stringency of those in the United States.

GSFL requirements are currently aligned with United States Department of Energy (U.S. DOE). However, the Regulations currently exempt lamps with a high colour rendering index (CRI), meaning of 87 or above. Given that various U.S States including Vermont, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia have all adopted energy efficiency standards requiring linear fluorescent lamps with CRI of 87 or higher to meet the same efficiency requirements as other regulated lamps, NRCan is considering aligning with those states and exceeding the stringency of the U.S. DOE requirements for GSFLs. Specifically, NRCan is considering amending the Regulations to expand the scope of GSFLs to include a fluorescent lamp that has a colour rendering index of at least 87.  

With the advent of LED replacement alternatives as well as more efficient linear fluorescent lamp alternatives, NRCan believes that the market is capable of providing sufficient higher efficacy alternatives to high CRI GSFLs.

Product description

A GSFL is defined in the Regulations as a fluorescent lamp that:

  1. is straight-shaped and has a nominal overall length of 1,200 mm (48 inches), a medium bi-pin base and a nominal power of at least 25 W;
  2. is U-shaped and has a nominal overall length of at least 560 mm (22 inches) but not more than 635 mm (25 inches), a medium bi-pin base and a nominal power of at least 25 W;
  3. is rapid-start and straight-shaped and has a nominal overall length of 2,400 mm (96 inches) and a recessed double-contact base;
  4. is instant-start and straight-shaped and has a nominal overall length of 2,400 mm (96 inches), a single-pin base and a nominal power of at least 49 W;
  5. is straight-shaped and standard output and has a nominal overall length of at least 1,125 mm (45 inches) but not more than 1,200 mm (48 inches), a miniature bi-pin base and a nominal power of at least 25 W;
  6. is straight-shaped and high output with a nominal overall length of at least 1,125 mm (45 inches) but not more than 1,200 mm (48 inches), a miniature bi-pin base and a nominal power of at least 44 W; or
  7. is a physical and electrical equivalent of a lamp described in any of paragraphs (a) to (f).

It does not include any of the following:

  1. a fluorescent lamp that is marketed as a plant lamp;
  2. a cold temperature fluorescent lamp;
  3. a coloured fluorescent lamp;
  4. a fluorescent lamp that is designed to be impact-resistant;
  5. a reflectorized or aperture fluorescent lamp;
  6. a fluorescent lamp that is designed for use in reprographic equipment;
  7. a fluorescent lamp that is primarily designed to produce ultraviolet radiation; or
  8. a fluorescent lamp that has a colour rendering index of at least 87.

NRCan proposes that the revised definition of general service fluorescent lamp be updated to strike the exemption for “a fluorescent lamp that has a colour rendering index of at least 87”, as shown below:

It does not include any of the following:

  1. a fluorescent lamp that is marketed as a plant lamp;
  2. a cold temperature fluorescent lamp;
  3. a coloured fluorescent lamp;
  4. a fluorescent lamp that is designed to be impact-resistant;
  5. a reflectorized or aperture fluorescent lamp;
  6. a fluorescent lamp that is designed for use in reprographic equipment;
  7. a fluorescent lamp that is primarily designed to produce ultraviolet radiation; or
  8. a fluorescent lamp that has a colour rendering index of at least 87.

The intent is for GSFL with CRI of at least 87 to be included in the regulated lamp categories, based on lamp type.

Energy efficiency standard

The energy efficiency standards under consideration for GSFLs are summarized in the table below.

Energy efficiency standards for general service fluorescent lampsa
Product type Correlated colour temperature Minimum average lamp efficacy (lm/W)b
4-foot medium bi-pin ≤4500 K 92.4
>4500 K to ≤7000 K 88.7
2-foot U-shaped ≤4500 K 85
>4500 K to ≤7000 K 83.3
8-foot slimline ≤4500 K 97
>4500 K to ≤7000 K 93
8-foot high output ≤4500 K 92
>4500 K to ≤7000 K 88
4-foot miniature bi-pin standard output ≤4500 K 95
>4500 K to ≤7000 K 89.3
4-foot miniature bi-pin high output ≤4500 K 82.7
>4500 K to ≤7000 K 76.9
a If using 10 C.F.R. Appendix R: average lamp efficacy × 1.011 > the minimum average lamp efficacy for the product in 10 C.F.R. §430.32(n)(4).
b Lamp efficacy using the initial readings.
Text version

The table title is “Energy efficiency standards for general service fluorescent lamps”. There is an explanatory note labelled “a” stating that “if using 10 CFR appendix R: average lamp efficacy multiplied by 1.011 is greater than the minimum average lamp efficacy for the product in 10 CFR paragraph 430.32 (N)(4).”

There are three vertical columns with the left-hand column providing the product type, the middle column providing the correlated colour temperature, and the right-hand column providing the minimum average lamp efficacy in lumens per watt. There is a note, labeled “b” for the minimum average lamp efficacy stating that “the lamp efficacy is using the initial readings”.

There are six product types listed, with each product type being subdivided into two categories based on their rated correlated colour temperature (herein CCT). The first category is for lamps with CCT less than or equal to 4500 K and the second category is for lamps with CCT greater than 4500 K but less than or equal to 7000 K.

The first product type is a 4-foot medium bi-pin lamp and for those with a CCT less than or equal to 4500 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 92.4 lumens per watt. For those lamps with a CCT greater than 4500 K but less than or equal to 7000 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 88.7 lumens per watt.

The second product type is a 2-foot U-shaped lamp and for those with a CCT less than or equal to 4500 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 85 lumens per watt. For those lamps with a CCT greater than 4500 K but less than or equal to 7000 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 83.3 lumens per watt.

The third product type is an 8-foot slimline lamp and for those with a CCT less than or equal to 4500 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 97 lumens per watt. For those lamps with a CCT greater than 4500 K but less than or equal to 7000 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 93 lumens per watt.

The fourth product type is an 8-foot-high output lamp and for those with a CCT less than or equal to 4500 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 92 lumens per watt. For those lamps with a CCT greater than 4500 K but less than or equal to 7000 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 88 lumens per watt.

The fifth product type is a 4-foot miniature bi-pin standard output lamp and for those with a CCT less than or equal to 4500 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 95 lumens per watt. For those lamps with a CCT greater than 4500 K but less than or equal to 7000 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 89.3 lumens per watt.

The sixth product type is a 4-foot miniature bi-pin high output lamp and for those with a CCT less than or equal to 4500 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 82.7 lumens per watt. For those lamps with a CCT greater than 4500 K but less than or equal to 7000 K, the minimum average lamp efficacy is 76.9 lumens per watt.

Important dates

These modifications to the Regulations would come into force six months after the date of publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

Labelling requirements

NRCan is not considering any changes for the labelling requirements for GSFLs.  

Verification requirements

NRCan is not considering any changes for the verification requirements for GSFLs.

These products will continue to carry a third party verification mark indicating that the product meets the energy efficiency standard and that the information to be reported has been verified.

The verification mark is the mark of a Standards Council of Canada accredited certification body that operates an energy efficiency certification program for the product.

Reporting requirements

Energy efficiency report

NRCan is not considering any changes to the energy efficiency report requirements for GSFLs.

The Regulations apply to products imported or shipped inter-provincially for sale or lease in Canada. This report must be submitted, by the dealer, to NRCan before the product is imported into Canada or traded inter-provincially for the first time.

Import report

There is no change being considered in regard to import reporting.

Comments invited

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide stakeholders with the technical detail required to comment on the requirements under consideration for GSFLs. 

It is important to NRCan that we engage the public and stakeholders on amendments to the Energy Efficiency Regulations. If you are aware of any dealer, manufacturer, importer, retailer, utility provider, small business, consumer group, organization, or representative of a specific group(s) of the population (including, but not limited to, women, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, socio-economic status, residency, housing status, etc.), Indigenous peoples/communities, and/or other person or group that may be interested in participating in the amendment discussion and/or may be negatively impacted by this proposal, please forward them or the representative this bulletin. Please email equipment-equipement@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca to be added to the email distribution list (emails are used to notify stakeholders of upcoming amendments, technical bulletins, webinar registrations, and official publication in the Canada Gazette).

Additional information on Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations including a current list of Standards Council of Canada accredited certification bodies can be found on the Department’s website.

We welcome your comments by September 15, 2022. All correspondence should be forwarded to:

Natural Resources Canada
Office of Energy Efficiency
580 Booth Street
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E4

E-mail: equipment-equipement@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Email subject heading to be: Bulletin - General service fluorescent lamps - Lampes fluorescentes standard - July 2022 juillet

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