On the bright side of life: International efforts to accelerate market adoption of LEDs while avoiding the pitfalls of CFLs

Panel: 6. Appliances, product policy and ICT

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Peter Bennich, Swedish Energy Agency, Sweden
Nils Borg, Borg & Co., Sweden
Michael Scholand, N14 Energy Limited, United Kingdom

Abstract

The introduction of CFLs was eventually a success, but the road was lined with poor products and unhappy consumers. The introduction of LED lighting products faces a similar challenge: The technology is brand new, laboratories have little experience of LED testing, test methods and standards are not harmonised, and consumers and many manufacturers alike don’t understand the technology. There are harmonisation activities among manufacturers as well as in the standardisation bodies (CIE, IEC), but these processes are slow or don’t fully address all issues, such as product quality and performance. Here, governments play a crucial role.

This paper discusses how governments work together to accelerate processes to establish performance criteria and quality assurance methods. The IEA 4E Solid-State Lighting Annex was established in 2010 under the framework of the IEA’s Efficient Electrical End-Use Equipment (4E) Implementing Agreement. Australia, the US, Japan, Korea and a handful EU countries are members. China is an expert member. Most major lighting markets are thus covered.

The SSL Annex has three major tasks: 1. Develop multiple-tier performance criteria for quality assurance, which can form the basis for regulations and programmes in different regions; 2. Determine the robustness of SSL test procedures through an international laboratory testing campaign involving more than 100 labs; and 3. Propose an accreditation framework for laboratories. The harmonised test methods developed for the testing campaign have already influenced the on-going standardisation work by CIE, an indication of the potential impact of the Annex.

This work underpins domestic and regional programmes in the Annex member states and elsewhere to support the adoption of voluntary and regulatory programmes that will accelerate market adoption of energy-efficient LED products. The SSL Annex is a model for international cooperation around the introduction of new energy efficient technologies.