EU member states have reached agreement on the updated eco-design rules to be applied to lighting in the EU. The important exemptions achieved for the live performance, lighting design and film sector guarantee that vast majority of stage and studio lighting can continue to be used.
On 17 December 2018, Member States voted on the Commission proposal to revise ecodesign regulations for lighting products also called “Single Lighting Regulation”. These regulations had been the subject of debate in the European Social Dialogue Committee on Live Performance, where the sector had detailed its concerns to representatives of the European Commission. The European Social partners also issued a joint statement in June 2018 emphasising the serious economic, artistic and technical impacts a ban of traditional lighting used for professional purposes could have on the sector and highlighting their willingness to help to craft a suitable exemption. FIA welcomes the positive progress that has been made and the well adjusted exemption that has now been achieved.
The European Commission had introduced a first technical exemption for the sector in July 2018, allowing around 80% of specific lamp types used in the live performance and film sector to be exempted from ecodesign requirements.
After exchanging views and sharing some technical information with EU Member State experts, the text was revised a second time to include the following points:
- Stand-by power: Clarification to exempt networks used on stage from requirements on stand-by power
- White Light Sources for specific needs
- Colour tuneable light sources: Extension of the wave-length of Green
- The list of lamp bases: Additional sockets will benefit from an exemption
The main reason for the above mentioned demands is the lack of replacement available on the market for technical equipment being used today, namely for certain special purpose lights used on stage.
With the additional exemptions voted in December 2018, the vast majority of light sources needed on stage, in specialized lighting design as well as in film studios can continue to be used. The European Commission will publish a consolidated version of the text at the end of January 2019. The vote in European Parliament (scrutiny procedure) is scheduled for March 2019. Revised ecodesign rules will be applicable to Member States as of September 2021.
