Amended proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency requirements for ballasts for fluorescent lighting
Date: 2000-04-03
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EC conformity marking, energy saving, lighting, technical standard

C 274 E/66

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

26.9.2000

Amended proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Energy
Efficiency Requirements for Ballasts for Fluorescent Lighting (1)

(2000/C 274 E/07)

(Text with EEA relevance)

COM(2000) 181 final (cid:151) 1999/0127(COD)

(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty on 3 April 2000)

(1) OJ C 274 E, 28.9.1999, s. 10.

INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

Unchanged

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 95 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of
Committee,

the Economic and Social

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
251 of the Treaty,

Whereas:

(1) It is important to promote measures aimed at the proper

functioning of the internal market.

(2) In its resolution of 15 January 1985 on the improvement
of energy-saving programmes in the Member States the
Council invited the Member States to pursue and, where
necessary,
increase their efforts to promote the more
rational use of energy by the further development of inte-
grated energy-saving policies.

(3) Fluorescent lighting accounts for a significant share of
energy consumption in the Community and thus of
total energy consumption; whereas the various models
lighting available on the
fluorescent
for
of ballasts
Community market have
of
very
levels
consumption for a given type of
i.e. extremely
variable energy efficiency.

different
lamp,

(4) Some Member States appear

to be on the point of
adopting provisions relating to the efficiency of ballasts
for fluorescent lighting, which might create barriers to
trade in these products in the Community.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

(5) It

is appropriate to take as a base a high level of
protection in proposals for the approximation of
the
provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative
action in Member States
safety,
environmental protection and
consumer protection;
whereas this Directive ensures a high level of protection
for both the environment and the consumer, in aiming at
a significant
the energy efficiency of
ballasts.

concerning health,

improvement of

(6) The adoption of such measures falls within Community
competence; whereas the requirements of this Directive
are within the limits of its objectives, thus conforming
to the requirements of Article 5 of the Treaty.

(7) Moreover, Article 174 of the Treaty calls for the protection
and improvement of the environment and prudent and
rational utilisation of natural
two
objectives being among those of the Community policy
on the environment; whereas electricity generation and
consumption account
for 30 % of man-made carbon
dioxides (CO2) emissions and some 35 % of primary
energy consumption in the Community, whereas these
percentages are increasing.

resources,

these

(8) Furthermore, Council Decision 89/364/EEC of 5 June
1989 on a Community action programme for improving
the efficiency of electricity use has as its twin objectives to
encourage consumers to favour appliances and equipment
with high electrical efficiency and to improve the effi-
ciency of appliances and equipment.

(9) In its conclusions of 29 October 1990 the Council set an
objective of stabilising carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in
the Community at 1990 levels by the year 2000; whereas
the UNFCCC Protocol agreed in Kyoto on 10 December
1997 calls for a greenhouse gases emission reduction for
the Community of 8 % by year 2012; whereas in order to
achieve this objective stronger measures are required to
limit and to reduce CO2 emissions within the Community.

(10) Decision 91/565/EEC established

a programme

to
promote energy efficiency in the Community (the SAVE
programme); and Decision 96/737/EC established a new
multiannual programme (the SAVE II programme)
to
continue and strengthen the action of the original SAVE
programme.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

(11) Most energy-efficient ballasts are available at a different
cost and they can pay for their initial cost through elec-
tricity savings within a few years; whereas this calculation
does not
the
external costs of electricity generation thereby avoided,
such as emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
pollutants.

the added benefit of

take into account

take into account

(11) Most energy-efficient ballasts are available at a different
cost and they can pay for their initial cost through elec-
tricity savings within a few years; whereas this calculation
does not
the
external costs of electricity generation thereby avoided,
such as emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
pollutants. The overall aim of this Directive is to move
gradually away from the less efficient magnetic ballasts,
and towards the more efficient electronic ballasts, which
also offer extensive energy saving features,
such as
dimming.

the added benefit of

(12) This Directive, which is aimed at eliminating technical
barriers with regard to improving the energy efficiency
of ballasts for fluorescent lighting, must follow the new
approach established by the Council resolution of 7 May
1985 on a (cid:145)new approach(cid:146) to technical harmonisation and
standards which specifically lays down that
legislative
harmonisation is limited to the adoption, by means of
requirements with which
the essential
directives, of
products put on the market must conform.

Unchanged

(13) Council Resolution of 19 June 1998 called for a
programme of complementary common and coordinated
measures, such as improved dynamic energy efficiency
standards.

(14) An effective enforcement system is necessary to ensure
the Directive is implemented properly, guarantees
that
fair
and
conditions of
protects consumer rights.

competition for producers

(15) Regard

should

be had

the various phases of

to the Council Decision
93/465/EEC of 22 July 1993 concerning the modules
for
the conformity assessment
procedures and the rules for the affixing and use of the
CE conformity marking, which are intended to be used in
the technical harmonisation directives.

(16) In the

trade,

interest of

international
international
standards should be used wherever appropriate; whereas
the electricity consumption of a ballast is defined by the
European Committee
Standard
EN 50294 of July 1998, which is based on international
standards.

Standardisation

for

(17) Ballasts for fluorescent lighting complying with the energy
efficiency requirements of this Directive must bear the (cid:145)CE(cid:146)
marking and associated information,
in order to enable
them to move freely.

(18) This Directive is confined to ballasts

for

fluorescent

lighting, supplied by mains electricity.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

(19) It did not prove possible to achieve the same objectives of
the present proposal through a negotiated agreement with
European association of ballast manufacturers:
the
CELMA, due to the high level of
into the
Community market,

imports

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

This Directive shall apply to new electric mains-operated
ballasts for fluorescent lighting sources as defined in Annex I
and referred to hereafter as (cid:145)ballasts(cid:146).

However ballasts to be exported from the Community either as
luminaires shall be excluded.
individual parts or as parts of

Deleted

The following types of ballasts shall be excluded from this
directive:

(cid:151) ballasts which are integrated in lamps;

(cid:151) non-standardised

ballasts

for
designed
to be mounted in furniture (according to

specifically

luminaires
European standard EN 60920, clause 2.1.3);

(cid:151) ballasts to be exported from the Community, either as a

single component or incorporated into luminaires.

Article 2

Article 2

1. Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure
that ballasts covered by this Directive can be placed on the
Community market, and put into service only if the power
consumption of the ballast in question is less than or equal
to the maximum allowable power consumption value for its
category as calculated according to the procedures defined in
Annex I.

1. Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure
that ballasts covered by this Directive can be placed on the
Community market, either as a single component or incor-
porated into luminaires, and put
the
power consumption of the ballast in question is less than or
equal to the maximum allowable power consumption value for
its category as calculated according to the procedures defined
in Annex I, subject however to Article 9.

into service only if

2.
The manufacturer of a ballast covered by this Directive,
its authorised representative established in the Community or
the person responsible
for placing the ballast on the
Community market shall be responsible for ensuring that
conforms with the
each ballast placed on the market,
requirement referred to in paragraph 1.

2.
The manufacturer of a ballast covered by this Directive,
its authorised representative established in the Community or
the person responsible
for placing the ballast on the
Community market, either as a single component or incor-
porated into luminaires, shall be responsible for ensuring that
each ballast placed on the market, either as a single component
or
the
luminaires,
requirement referred to in paragraph 1.

conforms with

incorporated

into

Article 3

Article 3

1. Member States may not prohibit, restrict or impede the
placing on the market or the putting into service in their
territory of ballasts, which bear the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking attesting to
their conformity with all the provisions of this Directive.

1. Member States may not prohibit, restrict or impede the
placing on the market or the putting into service in their
territory of ballasts, either as a single component or incor-
porated into luminaires, which bear
(cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking
attesting to their conformity with all the provisions of this
Directive.

the

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

2.
Unless they have evidence to the contrary, Member States
shall presume that ballasts, bearing the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking required
under Article 5 comply with all the provisions of this Directive.

2.
Unless they have evidence to the contrary, Member States
shall presume that ballasts, either as a single component or
the CE marking
incorporated
required under Article 5 comply with all the provisions of
this Directive.

into luminaires, bearing

3. (a) Where ballasts, are subject to other Directives covering
other aspects which also provide for affixing of the (cid:145)CE(cid:146)
marking, the latter shall
indicate that the ballasts in
question are also presumed, unless evidence to the
contrary exists, to conform to the provisions of those
directives.

3. (a) Where ballasts, either as a single component or incor-
porated into luminaires, are subject to other Directives
covering other aspects which also provide for affixing of
shall
the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking,
the
indicate that
also presumed, unless
products
evidence to the contrary exists,
to conform to the
provisions of those directives.

in question are

the latter

(b) However, where one or more of these directives, allows
the manufacturer, during a transitional period, to choose
which rules to apply, the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking shall
indicate
conformity solely with the provisions of those directives
applied by the manufacturer. In this case, the reference
numbers of the directives applied, as published in the
the European Communities, must be
Official
given in the documents, notices or instructions accom-
panying the ballasts.

Journal of

(b) However, where one or more of these directives, allows
the manufacturer, during a transitional period, to choose
which rules to apply, the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking shall
indicate
conformity solely with the provisions of those directives
applied by the manufacturer. In this case, the reference
numbers of the directives applied, as published in the
the European Communities, must be
Official
given in the documents, notices or instructions accom-
panying the products.

Journal of

(c) When ballasts are exported from the Community or
luminaires this must be clearly indicated by manu-
facturer, its authorised representative established in the
Community or the person responsible for placing the
ballasts on the Community market in the documents,
notices or instructions accompanying the ballasts,

(c) When ballasts are to be exported from the Community
either as a single component or
incorporated into
luminaires this must be clearly indicated by manu-
facturer, its authorised representative established in the
Community or the person responsible for placing the
ballasts, either as a single component or incorporated
into luminaires, on the Community market
in the
documents, notices or instructions accompanying the
ballasts, either as a single component or incorporated
into luminaires.

Article 4

Unchanged

The conformity assessment procedures and the obligation
relating to the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking of ballasts are laid down in
Annex II.

Article 5

Article 5

1. When ballasts, are placed on the market, they must bear
the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking, which shall consist of the initials (cid:145)CE(cid:146). The
form of the marking to be used is shown in Annex III. The (cid:145)CE(cid:146)
marking shall be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to ballasts
and, where appropriate, to the packaging.

1. When ballasts, either as a single component or incor-
porated into luminaires, are placed on the market, they must
bear the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking, which shall consist of the initials (cid:145)CE(cid:146).
The form of the marking to be used is shown in Annex III. The
legibly and indelibly to
(cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking shall be affixed visibly,
ballasts and, where appropriate, to the packaging.

2.
The affixing on ballasts of any markings which are likely
to mislead third parties as to the meaning and form of the (cid:145)CE(cid:146)
marking shall be prohibited. Any other marking may be affixed
to the ballasts, their packaging, the instruction sheet or other
documents, provided that
the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking remains clearly
visible and legible.

2.
The affixing on ballasts, either as a single component or
incorporated into luminaires, of any markings which are likely
to mislead third parties as to the meaning and form of the (cid:145)CE(cid:146)
marking shall be prohibited. Any other marking may be affixed
to the ballasts, their packaging, the instruction sheet or other
documents, provided that
the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking remains clearly
visible and legible.

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

Article 6

AMENDED PROPOSAL

Article 6

1. Where a Member State establishes that the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking
has been affixed improperly, the manufacturer or his authorised
representative established within the Community shall be
obliged to bring the product into conformity and to end the
infringement,
in accordance with the conditions imposed by
the Member State. Where neither the manufacturer nor his
authorised representative is established within the Community,
the person who places the ballasts on the Community shall
undertake these obligations.

2. Where the product continues not to be in conformity the
Member State shall take all necessary measures pursuant to
Article 7 to restrict or prohibit the placing on the market of
the product in question or to ensure that it is withdrawn from
the market,

1. Where a Member State establishes that the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking
has been affixed improperly, the manufacturer or his authorised
representative established within the Community shall be
obliged to bring the product into conformity and to end the
infringement, within one month of being notified,
in
imposed by the Member
accordance with the conditions
the manufacturer nor his authorised
State. Where neither
representative
the
person who places the ballasts on the Community market
either as a single component or incorporated into luminaires
shall undertake these obligations.

established within the Community,

is

2. Where the product continues not to be in conformity for
take all
more than one month,
to Article 7 to restrict or
necessary measures pursuant
prohibit
in
question or to ensure that it is withdrawn from the market,
subject to penalties if not, to be decided by the Member State.

the placing on the market of

the Member State shall

the product

Article 7

Article 7

Any decision taken pursuant

1.
to this Directive which
contains a restriction on the placing on the market of
ballasts, shall state the precise grounds on which it is based.
The party concerned shall be notified without delay of the
decision and shall be informed at the same time of the possi-
bilities and time limits regarding the legal remedies available to
it under the laws in force in the Member State in question.

Any decision taken pursuant

1.
to this Directive which
contains a restriction on the placing on the market of
ballasts, either as a single component or incorporated into
luminaires, shall state the precise grounds on which it
is
based. The party concerned shall be notified without delay of
the decision and shall be informed at the same time of the
possibilities and time limits
remedies
available to it under the laws in force in the Member State
in question.

regarding the legal

State

The Member

2.
inform the
shall
Commission of any such measure, indicating the reasons for
its decision. The Commission shall make this information
known to the other Member States.

immediately

Unchanged

Article 8

1. Member States shall adopt and publish the laws, regu-
lations and administrative provisions necessary to comply
with this Directive within a year of its adoption. They shall
immediately inform the Commission thereof.

Member States shall apply these provisions on the expiration of
a period of one year counting from the date of adoption of this
Directive.

Member States shall apply these provisions on the expiration of
a period of 18 months counting from the date of adoption of
this Directive.

these provisions,

When Member States adopt
these shall
contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied
by such reference at the time of their official publication. The
procedure for such reference shall be adopted by Member
States.

Unchanged

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INITIAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the
texts of the provisions of national law which they adopt in the
field covered by this Directive.

During a one-year period following adoption of

this
3.
Directive, Member States shall permit
the placing on the
market of ballasts which comply with the same conditions as
those which were applied on their territory at the date of
adoption of this Directive.

During an 18-month period following adoption of this
3.
Directive, Member States shall permit
the placing on the
market of ballasts which comply with the same conditions as
those which were applied on their territory at the date of
adoption of this Directive.

Article 9

Unchanged

1.
After four years from the adoption of this Directive the
second set of maximum allowable power consumption values
as defined in Annex IA will become applicable.

this Directive,

the Commission shall

Before the expiry of a period of four years from the
2.
adoption of
the Commission shall make an
assessment of the results obtained as compared with those
expected. With a view to advancing to a third stage in
energy efficiency improvement,
then
consider, in consultation with the interested parties, the need
to lay down a third set of maximum allowed power
consumption levels for significantly improving the energy effi-
ciency of ballasts. In this case, the power consumption and the
date of its entry into force will be based on levels which can be
economically and technically justified in the light of
the
circumstances at the time. Any other measure judged appro-
priate to improve energy efficiency of ballast shall also be
considered.

2(a)
The Commission shall also assess the share of EU
production of ballasts exported outside the European Union
either as a single component or incorporated into luminaires.
The Commission shall further assess the possibility of applying
to it
the Kyoto
Protocol. The Commission shall promote in the appropriate
international fora international standards based on the prin-
ciples of this Directive.

the flexibility mechanism defined under

Article 10

Unchanged

This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following
its publication in the Official
the European
Communities.

Journal

of

Article 11

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

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ANNEX I

Methods for Calculating the Maximum Allowable Power Consumption for a Given Ballast Type and Procedures
for the Verification of Conformity therewith

The energy efficiency of the lamp-ballast circuit is determined by the total input power into the circuit. This is a
function of the lamp power and of the type of ballast; for this reason, the maximum allowed power consumption of a
given ballast is defined as the maximum ballast-lamp circuit power, with different levels for each lamp power and ballast
type.

To calculate the maximum allowable consumption of a given ballast,
appropriate category from the following list:

it must therefore first be allocated to the

Category

Description

1

2

3

4

5

6

Ballast for linear lamp type

Ballast for compact 2 tubes lamp type

Ballast for compact 4 tubes flat lamp type

Ballast for compact 4 tubes lamp type

Ballast for compact 6 tubes lamp type

Ballast for compact 2 D lamp type

The maximum allowable power consumption expressed in W is defined by the following table:

Ballast
Category

1

2

3

4

5

6

Lamp Power

HF

13,5 W
16 W
24 W
32 W
32 W
50 W
60 W

16 W
22 W
32 W

16 W
22 W
32 W

9,5 W
12,5 W
16,5 W
24 W

16 W
24 W

9 W
14 W
19 W
25 W
34 W

50 Hz

15 W
18 W
30 W
36 W
38 W
58 W
70 W

18 W
24 W
36 W

18 W
24 W
36 W

10 W
13 W
18 W
26 W

18 W
26 W

10 W
16 W
21 W
28 W
38 W

Maximum Allowable
Power Consumption

£ 25 W
£ 28 W
£ 40 W
£ 45 W
£ 47 W
£ 70 W
£ 83 W

£ 28 W
£ 34 W
£ 45 W

£ 28 W
£ 34 W
£ 45 W

£ 18 W
£ 21 W
£ 28 W
£ 36 W

£ 28 W
£ 36 W

£ 18 W
£ 25 W
£ 31 W
£ 38 W
£ 47 W

Definitions

The terms used in this Annex correspond to the definitions in European Standard EN 50294 of July 1998 laid down by
the European Committee for Standardisation.

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The second set of maximum allowable power consumption which becomes applicable four years from the adoption

ANNEX I A

Ballast
Category

1

2

3

4

5

6

50 Hz

15 W
18 W
30 W
36 W
38 W
58 W
70 W

18 W
24 W
36 W

18 W
24 W
36 W

10 W
13 W
18 W
26 W

18 W
26 W

10 W
16 W
21 W
28 W
38 W

Lamp Power

HF

13,5 W
16 W
24 W
32 W
32 W
50 W
60 W

16 W
22 W
32 W

16 W
22 W
32 W

9,5 W
12,5 W
16,5 W
24 W

16 W
24 W

9 W
14 W
19 W
25 W
34 W
55 W

Maximum Allowable
Power Consumption

£ 23 W
£ 26 W
£ 38 W
£ 43 W
£ 45 W
£ 67 W
£ 80 W

£ 26 W
£ 32 W
£ 43 W

£ 26 W
£ 32 W
£ 43 W

£ 16 W
£ 19 W
£ 26 W
£ 34 W

£ 26 W
£ 34 W

£ 16 W
£ 23 W
£ 29 W
£ 36 W
£ 45 W

ANNEX II

Conformity Assessment Procedures (Module A)

1. This module describes the procedure whereby the manufacturer or his authorised representative established within
the Community, who carries out the obligations laid down in point 2, ensures and declares that the ballast satisfies
the relevant requirements of this Directive. The manufacturer shall affix the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking to each ballast which he
manufactures and draw up a written declaration of conformity.

2. The manufacturer must establish the technical documentation described in paragraph 3 and he or his authorised
representative established within the Community shall keep it at the disposal of the relevant national authorities for
inspection purposes, for a period of not less than three years from the date on which the last ballast has been
manufactured.

Where neither the manufacturer nor his authorised representative is established within the Community, the obli-
gation to keep the technical documentation available is the responsibility of the person who places the ballast on the
Community market.

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3. Technical documentation must enable the conformity of the ballast with the requirements of this Directive to be
assessed. It must, as far as is relevant for such assessment, cover the design, manufacture and operation of the ballast
and shall comprise:

(i) the name and the address of the manufacturer;

(ii) a general description of the model sufficient for unambiguous identification;

(iii) information, including drawings as relevant, on the main design features of the model and in particular on items

which appreciably affect its electricity consumption;

(iv) the operating instructions, if any;

(v) the results of power consumption measurements carried out as required by point 5;

(vi) details of the conformity of these measurements as compared to the energy consumption requirements set out in

Annex I.

4. Technical documentation established for other Community legislation may be used in so far as it meets the

requirements of this Annex.

5. Manufacturers of ballast are responsible for establishing the power consumption of each ballast covered by this
Directive according to the procedures specified in European Standard EN 50294, as well as the appliance’s
conformity with the requirements of Article 2.

6. The manufacturer or his authorised representative must keep a copy of the declaration of conformity with the

technical documentation.

7. The manufacturer must take all measures necessary in order that the manufacturing process ensures that the
manufactured ballasts comply with the technical documentation referred to in point 2 and with the relevant
requirements of the Directive.

ANNEX III

(cid:145)CE(cid:146) Conformity Marking

The conformity marking shall consist of the initials (cid:145)CE(cid:146) taking the following form:

If the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking is reduced or enlarged the proportion given in the above graduated drawing must be respected.

The various components of the (cid:145)CE(cid:146) marking must have substantially the same vertical dimension, which may not be less
than 5 mm.