New MEPS Lamp Regulations:
When Are Regulatory Certificates of Compliance (RCC) Required?
Introduction
In May 2023, the South African Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition announced new mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for general service lamps (GSLs), which came into force in May this year.
GSLs are commonly used in domestic lighting, including pendant luminaires and table lamps. These lamps must meet specific performance standards to ensure energy efficiency and safety. They come in various shapes, including the standard bulb, candle lamps, and small bulbs, and they are typically sold in stores for everyday use.
The MEPS were developed by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and approved by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition. This initiative was supported by a Global Environment Facility-funded project aimed at transforming the market through energy efficiency standards and in South Africa.
The MEPS were developed by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and approved by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition. This initiative was supported by a Global Environment Facility-funded project aimed at transforming the market through energy efficiency standards and in South Africa.
The 1980s saw the introduction of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which replaced tungsten lamps and provided 60-70 lumens per watt. Finally, lamps using light-emitting diodes (LEDs), developed in the 1980s and 1990s, have become the preferred choice today, offering up to 120 lumens per watt and lasting up to 15 000 hours.
The new MEPS regulations aim to phase out outdated technologies like tungsten and CFLs, which do not meet the 90 lumens per watt requirement. This move promotes the use of energy-efficient LED lamps, despite the higher initial costs.
The new MEPS regulations aim to phase out outdated technologies like tungsten and CFLs, which do not meet the 90 lumens per watt requirement. This move promotes the use of energy-efficient LED lamps, despite the higher initial costs.
Additionally, the Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Programme, a partner in the United Nations Environment Programme’s United for Efficiency initiative, provided further technical expertise.
Simply put, MEPS are regulations that set minimum energy efficiency requirements for various products, including lamps. The new specification requires GSLs to achieve at least 90 lumens per watt, much higher than previous standards.
Simply put, MEPS are regulations that set minimum energy efficiency requirements for various products, including lamps. The new specification requires GSLs to achieve at least 90 lumens per watt, much higher than previous standards.
According to Connie Jonker, a member of the Safehouse operational team, MEPS need to be regularly updated due to advancements in lamp technology. Starting with Edison’s carbon filament lamp, the first of its kind, it paved the way for future innovations. Tungsten filament lamps, which have been in use for over a century, provide about 10 lumens per watt. In the 1940s, fluorescent lamps were developed, offering better efficiency than their predecessors.
Impact of new regulations
The implementation of MEPS has significant implications for industry and consumers. While the shift towards more efficient lamps is beneficial for energy savings, it also results in higher costs for consumers. For instance, the average price of LED lamps has increased substantially, posing affordability challenges for some consumers.
Jonker warns that the stringent regulations may lead to the emergence of a black market for non-compliant products, as not all consumers can afford the higher-priced compliant lamps. Ensuring compliance and preventing the circulation of non-compliant products remains a challenge for regulators.
Jonker warns that the stringent regulations may lead to the emergence of a black market for non-compliant products, as not all consumers can afford the higher-priced compliant lamps. Ensuring compliance and preventing the circulation of non-compliant products remains a challenge for regulators.
The role of Safehouse in protecting businesses and consumers
Safehouse is dedicated to safeguarding South African businesses and consumers from unsafe electrical products and services. With a clear mission to protect and educate, Safehouse plays a crucial role in enhancing electrical safety standards across the nation.
Safehouse’s mission revolves around preventing electrical hazards through vigilant market surveillance, comprehensive education, and the promotion of strict compliance to safety standards. By focusing on these areas, Safehouse aims to ensure that only compliant and safe electrical products are available in the market, explains Jonker.
Jonker worked in the Lighting Technology Division at the South African Bureau of Standards for nearly four decades. He is well-known and highly respected throughout the lighting industry for his unwavering commitment to product compliance and safety.
Safehouse actively monitors the market for non-compliant products. This involves identifying and reporting unsafe electrical goods to prevent their circulation and usage.
Safehouse’s mission revolves around preventing electrical hazards through vigilant market surveillance, comprehensive education, and the promotion of strict compliance to safety standards. By focusing on these areas, Safehouse aims to ensure that only compliant and safe electrical products are available in the market, explains Jonker.
Jonker worked in the Lighting Technology Division at the South African Bureau of Standards for nearly four decades. He is well-known and highly respected throughout the lighting industry for his unwavering commitment to product compliance and safety.
Safehouse actively monitors the market for non-compliant products. This involves identifying and reporting unsafe electrical goods to prevent their circulation and usage.
Providing resources and guidance on safety compliance is a key function. Safehouse educates manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers about the importance of adhering to safety standards.
Safehouse offers a mark of compliance for products that meet safety standards. The Safehouse mark stands for absolute compliance to the highest electrical safety standards, giving consumers confidence in the safety of the products they purchase.
Safehouse also maintains a database of approved products. This database is accessible to consumers and businesses, helping them make informed decisions when purchasing electrical products.
Safehouse offers a mark of compliance for products that meet safety standards. The Safehouse mark stands for absolute compliance to the highest electrical safety standards, giving consumers confidence in the safety of the products they purchase.
Safehouse also maintains a database of approved products. This database is accessible to consumers and businesses, helping them make informed decisions when purchasing electrical products.
Relationship with NRCS
Safehouse works in tandem with the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) to ensure electrical safety compliance. The NRCS is responsible for enforcing safety standards and issuing letters of authority for products that comply with these standards. Their role is crucial in regulating the market and ensuring that only safe products are available to consumers.
Safehouse acts as an advocate for higher standards and better enforcement, pushing for self-compliance among manufacturers and suppliers. This approach emphasises the importance of taking responsibility for product compliance through internal quality control and continuous improvement.
Rather than direct criticism of the NRCS, Safehouse focuses on the benefits of self-compliance. This includes enhanced accountability, ongoing compliance, and proactive quality control, ensuring that safety standards are consistently met without solely relying on externa l regulation, stresses Jonker.
Safehouse acts as an advocate for higher standards and better enforcement, pushing for self-compliance among manufacturers and suppliers. This approach emphasises the importance of taking responsibility for product compliance through internal quality control and continuous improvement.
Rather than direct criticism of the NRCS, Safehouse focuses on the benefits of self-compliance. This includes enhanced accountability, ongoing compliance, and proactive quality control, ensuring that safety standards are consistently met without solely relying on externa l regulation, stresses Jonker.
Promoting self-compliance in the industry
Safehouse promotes self-compliance, where manufacturers and suppliers take responsibility for ensuring their products comply with safety standards. This involves conducting appropriate testing, maintaining quality control, and continuously improving their processes.
Benefits of self-compliance
- Self-compliance can be more cost-effective than relying solely on external regulations. Regular in-house testing and quality control can help manufacturers maintain compliance without incurring the high costs associated with third-party testing.
- By continuously monitoring and improving their products, manufacturers can ensure ongoing compliance with safety standards, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.
- Self-compliance fosters a culture of accountability within the industry, encouraging manufacturers and suppliers to prioritise safety and quality in their products.
Challenges and solutions
Incorporating self-compliance can be challenging for some companies, particularly smaller manufacturers with limited resources. Establishing comprehensive quality control systems and maintaining detailed technical files can be resource intensive.
Safehouse provides resources and training to help its members implement effective self-compliance practices. By educating manufacturers and suppliers on regulatory requirements and best practices, Safehouse supports the industry in achieving and maintaining compliance.
Conclusion
Safehouse plays a vital role in ensuring electrical safety in South Africa. Through industry surveillance, education, the Safehouse mark, and the approved product database, Safehouse protects consumers and businesses from unsafe electrical products. By advocating for self-compliance and working closely with the NRCS, Safehouse promotes a culture of safety and accountability in the industry. Adapting to new regulations, such as MEPS, and promoting the use of energy-efficient lamps are essential steps towards a safer and more sustainable future for all South Africans.