Common Position (EC) No 32/2000 of 30 May 2000 adopted by the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, with a view to adopting a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency requirements for ballasts for fluorescent lighting
Date: 2000-05-30
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EC conformity marking, approximation of laws, electrical energy, lighting, lighting equipment, marketing

20.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 208/9

COMMON POSITION No 32/2000

adopted by the Council on 30 May 2000

with a view to adopting Directive 2000/.../EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of ...
on energy efficiency requirements for ballasts for fluorescent lighting

(2000/C 208/02)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

(5)

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com-
munity and in particular Article 95 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee (2),

(6)

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in
Article 251 of the Treaty (3),

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

It is important to promote measures aimed at ensuring
the proper functioning of the internal market which, at
the same time, promote energy-saving, environmental
protection and consumer protection.

Fluorescent lighting accounts for a significant share of
electricity consumption in the Community and thus of
total energy consumption. The various models of ballasts
for fluorescent
lighting available on the Community
market have very different levels of consumption for
a given type of lamp,
i.e. extremely variable energy
efficiency.

(3) This Directive aims at reducing energy consumption for
ballasts for fluorescent lighting by moving gradually away
from the less efficient ballasts, and towards the more
efficient ballasts which may also offer extensive energy-
saving features.

(4)

Some Member States are on the point of adopting
provisions relating to the efficiency of ballasts for fluor-
escent lighting, which might create barriers to trade in
these products in the Community.

(1) OJ C 274, 28.9.1999, p. 10.
(2) OJ C 368, 20.12.1999, p. 11.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 20 January 2000 (not yet
published in the Official Journal), Council common position of
30 May 2000 and decision of the European Parliament of ... (not
yet published in the Official Journal).

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 concerning health, safety, environmental
protection and consumer protection. This Directive
ensures a high level of protection for both the environ-
in aiming at a significant
ment and the consumer,
improvement in the energy efficiency of ballasts.

In accordance with the subsidiarity and proportionality
principles laid down by Article 5 of the Treaty, as the
objectives of this action cannot be sufficiently achieved
by the Member States, they can, by reason of the scale
and effects of the proposed action, be better achieved by
the Community. This Directive does not go beyond what
is necessary to achieve those objectives.

(7) An effective enforcement system is necessary to ensure
that this Directive is implemented properly, guarantees
fair conditions of competition for producers and protects
consumer rights.

(8) Council Decision 93/465/EEC of 22 July 1993 concern-
ing the modules for the various phases of 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 (4),
applies, except as regards marking and withdrawal from
the market, where departure to a limited extent from the
Decision is justified by the type of product and the
specific market situation.

(9)

In the interest of international trade, international stan-
dards should be used wherever appropriate. The electricity
consumption of a ballast is defined by the European
Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation Standard
EN 50294 of December 1998, which is based on inter-
national standards.

(10) Ballasts for fluorescent

lighting complying with the
energy efficiency requirements of this Directive must bear
the CE marking and associated information, in order to
enable them to move freely.

(4) OJ L 220, 30.8.1993, p. 23.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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(11) This Directive is confined to ballasts for fluorescent

lighting, supplied by mains electricity,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

1.
This Directive shall apply to electric mains-operated
ballasts for fluorescent lighting sources as defined in European
Standard EN 50294 of December 1998, point 3.4, and referred
to hereinafter as ‘ballasts’.

The following types of ballasts are excluded from this

2.
Directive:

— ballasts integrated in lamps,

— ballasts designed specifically for luminaires to be mounted
in furniture and which form a non-replaceable part of the
luminaire which cannot be tested separately from the
luminaire (according to European Standard EN 60920,
clause 2.1.3), and

— ballasts to be exported from the Community, either as a

single component or incorporated in luminaires.

3.

Ballasts shall be classified in accordance with Annex I.

Article 2

1. Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure
that, during a first phase, ballasts may be placed on the market,
either as a single component or incorporated in luminaires,
only if the power consumption of the ballast in question is less
than, or equal to, the maximum input power of ballast-lamp
circuits as defined in Annexes I, II and III for each ballast
category.

The manufacturer of a ballast,

2.
its or his authorised
representative established in the Community or the person
responsible for placing the ballast, either as a single component
or incorporated in luminaires, on the market shall be respon-
sible for ensuring that each ballast placed on the market, either
as a single component or incorporated in luminaires, conforms
with the requirements referred to in paragraph 1.

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

Article 4

1. Without prejudice to Articles 5 and 6, the procedures
for conformity assessment of ballasts as single components or
incorporated in luminaires and the rules for the affixing and
use of the CE conformity marking shall be in accordance with
Module A of Council Decision 93/465/EEC and with the
criteria set out in that Decision and in the general guidelines
in the Annex thereto.

The period referred to in paragraph 2 of Module A of
2.
Council Decision 93/465/EEC shall be three years for the
purposes of this Directive.

3.

(a) The content of

the technical documentation
referred to in paragraph 3 of Module A of Deci-
sion 93/465/EEC shall comprise:

(i)

the name and 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;

(v) the results of power consumption measure-
ments carried out as required by subpara-
graph c;

(vi) details of the conformity of these measure-
ments as compared with the energy consump-
tion requirements set out in the Annexes.

(b) Technical documentation established for other
Community legislation may be used in so far as it
meets these requirements.

(c) Manufacturers of ballast shall be responsible for
establishing the power consumption of each ballast
according to the procedures specified in European
Standard EN 50294 of December 1998, as well as
the appliance’s conformity with the requirements
of Articles 2 and 9.

Article 3

1. Member States may not prohibit, restrict or impede the
placing on the market in their territory of ballasts, either as a
single component or incorporated in luminaires, which bear
the CE marking attesting to their conformity with the pro-
visions of this Directive.

Article 5

When ballasts are placed on the market, either as a single
component or incorporated in luminaires, they shall bear the
CE marking, which shall consist of the initials CE. The CE
marking shall be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to ballasts
and their packaging. Where ballasts are placed on the market
incorporated in luminaires, the CE marking shall be affixed to
the luminaires and their packaging.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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Article 6

1. Where a Member State establishes that the CE marking
has been affixed improperly, the manufacturer or his author-
ised representative established within the Community shall be
obliged to bring the ballasts into conformity with this Directive
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 responsible for placing the ballasts on
the market, as a single component or incorporated in lumin-
aires, shall assume these obligations.

2. Where the ballasts are not in conformity with this
Directive, the Member State shall take all necessary measures
pursuant to Article 7 to prohibit the placing on the market
and the sales of the ballasts in question.

Article 7

1.
Any measure taken by a Member State pursuant to this
Directive which contains a prohibition on the placing on the
market or the sales of ballasts, as a single component or
incorporated in luminaires, shall state the precise grounds
on which it
is based. The manufacturer, his authorised
representative established in the Community or the person
responsible for placing the ballasts on the market shall be
notified without delay of the measure and shall be informed at
the same time of the possibilities and time limits regarding the
legal remedies available to it under the laws in force in the
Member State in question.

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

Article 8

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

3.
During a period of 18 months following entry into force
of this Directive, Member States shall permit the placing on
the market of ballasts, either as a single component or
incorporated in luminaires, which comply with the same
conditions as those which were applied on their territory at
the date of entry into force of this Directive.

Article 9

1.
Five years after the entry into force of this Directive, i.e.
during a second phase, the maximum input power of ballast-
lamp circuits shall be in accordance with Annex IV,
in
particular in connection with Article 2.

By 31 December 2005, the Commission shall forward
2.
an assessment to the European Parliament and the Council of
the results obtained as compared with those expected. With a
view to achieving a third phase in energy efficiency improve-
ment, the Commission shall then, in consultation with the
interested parties, present proposals, if appropriate, regarding
further improvement in energy efficiency of ballasts. The
maximum input power of ballast-lamp circuits and the date of
its entry into force shall be based on levels which can be
economically and technically justified in the light of the
circumstances at the time. Any other measure judged appropri-
ate to improve the inherent energy efficiency of ballasts and to
encourage the use of energy-saving lighting controls systems
should be considered.

Article 10

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day
following its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Communities.

1. Member States shall bring into force and publish the
laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to
comply with this Directive within one year of its entry into
force. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.

Article 11

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Member States shall apply these measures on the expiry of a
period of 18 months from the date of entry into force of this
Directive.

Done at ...

When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain
a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such
reference on the occasion of their official publication. The
methods of making such reference shall be laid down by
Member States.

For the European Parliament

For the Council

The President

The President

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Official Journal of the European Communities

20.7.2000

ANNEX I

BALLAST CATEGORIES

To calculate the maximum input power of ballast-lamp circuits of a given ballast, the ballast must first be allocated
to the appropriate category from the following list:

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

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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ANNEX II

METHODS FOR CALCULATING THE MAXIMUM INPUT POWER OF BALLAST-LAMP CIRCUITS FOR A
GIVEN BALLAST TYPE

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

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

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Official Journal of the European Communities

20.7.2000

ANNEX III

FIRST PHASE

The maximum input power of ballast-lamp circuits expressed in W is defined by the following table

Ballast category

Lamp power

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

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

Maximum input power
of ballast-lamp circuits

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

Whenever a ballast is designed for a lamp which falls between two values indicated in the above table, the maximum
input power of ballast-lamp circuit is calculated by linear interpolation between the two values of maximum input
power for the two closest lamps’ power indicated in the table.

For example if a ballast in lamp category 1 is rated for a 48 W lamp at 50 Hz, the maximum input power of ballast-
lamp circuit is calculated as follows:

47 + (48 – 38) * (70 – 47)/(58 – 38) = 58,5 W

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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ANNEX IV

SECOND PHASE

The maximum input power of ballast-lamp circuits expressed in W is defined by the following table

Ballast category

Lamp power

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

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

Maximum input power
of ballast-lamp circuits

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

Whenever a ballast is designed for a lamp which falls between two values indicated in the above table, the maximum
input power of ballast-lamp circuit is calculated by linear interpolation between the two values of maximum input
power for the two closest lamps’ power indicated in the table.

For example if a ballast in lamp category 1 is rated for a 48 W lamp at 50 Hz, the maximum input power of ballast-
lamp circuit is calculated as follows:

45 + (48 – 38) * (67 – 45)/(58 – 38) = 56 W

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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Joint Declaration by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission

The Commission shall also assess the share of Community production of ballasts exported outside the Community
market either as a single component or incorporated into luminaires. The Commission shall further assess the
possibility of applying the flexibility mechanisms defined under the Kyoto Protocol. The Commission shall promote
in the appropriate forums international standards based on the principles of this Directive.

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STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL’S REASONS

I.

INTRODUCTION

1.

2.

3.

4.

On 17 June 1999, the Commission forwarded to the Council a proposal for a European
Parliament and Council Directive on energy efficiency requirements for ballasts for fluorescent
lighting.

The European Parliament delivered its opinion on 20 January 2000 (1). The Economic and
Social Committee delivered its opinion on 20 and 21 October 1999 (2).

On 4 April 2000, the Commission forwarded an amended proposal to the Council (1).

On 30 May 2000, the Council adopted its common position pursuant to Article 251 of the
Treaty.

II. AIM OF PROPOSAL AND BACKGROUND

5.

This proposal aims at establishing minimum efficiency requirements for ballasts attached to
fluorescent lamps, which account for a significant share of energy consumption in the
Community, in order to transform the market and to achieve considerable energy savings at
the internal market. The
low cost.
implementation of this Directive should contribute, inter alia, to the achievement of the Kyoto
targets.

It aims also to ensure the proper functioning of

III. ANALYSIS OF THE COMMON POSITION

A.

General remarks

6.

7.

B.

8.

9.

In establishing its common position the Council was motivated by the need to ensure energy
savings as quickly as possible, taking account of what is technically and economically possible
in the short to medium term.

The text of the Council’s common position takes into account a large number of the European
Parliament’s amendments. It also incorporates some legal drafting changes introduced by the
Council Legal Service in accordance with the Interinstitutional Agreement of 22 December
1998 on common guidelines for the quality of drafting of Community legislation (3).

Amendments proposed by the European Parliament

The Council has adopted,
amendments:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 18.

in full or in part, or in some cases in spirit, the following

Amendments 7, 8, 9 and 11 were not included in the common position as they were considered
to be redundant as a result of the legal drafting changes already introduced.

(1) Not yet published in the Official Journal.
(2) OJ C 368, 20.12.1999, p. 11.
(3) OJ C 73, 17.3.1999, p. 1.

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10.

The Council has not accepted amendments 17, 19, and 20 in its common position; these
amendments were also rejected by the Commission.

The Council shares the view that a third phase in energy efficiency improvement will be
necessary. This is reflected in Article 9 of the common position which gives a clear signal to all
parties concerned that an extra effort will be required.

However, the Council considers it would be premature to fix now specific targets for the third
phase. Any new targets, or indeed other measures, will need to be established on the basis of an
evaluation of progress made in the first two phases and in the light of circumstances, both
technical and economic, prevailing at the time.