Page 48 - Lighting Magazine November 2019

rEgulAtioN round-up
“The future of regulatory activity could be nothing or could be everything should the political winds bring a new occupant to the White House.” —Michael Weems, ALA
canada
Starting last year on January 1, 2019, GSL sold in Canada have to meet a new 45 lm/W require- ment, that will phase out halogen A-lamps. Also, the province of British Columbia (BC) recently passed Amendment 6 that creates new requirements for CFLs, GSIL, general service LED lamps, and small- diameter directional lamps (SDDL), such as some MR16s.
Weems says the following about changing regu- lations in Canada, “NRCan continues to update efficiency regulations, harmonizing as best as pos- sible with those of the USA. ALA has worked closely with NRCan ensuring that lighting-related products are not adversely affected during the course of this work. Additionally, ALA continues to engage at the provincial level to ensure regulatory efforts do not contradict the work of NRCan.”
voLunTarY STandardS
Recently ENERGY STAR finalized its Smart Home Energy Management System specification, known as “SHEMS.” Weems comments, “ENERGY STAR is an enigma. The program is currently under constant
threat by the Trump Administration. Manufacturers are certifying fewer products because of out-of- touch specifications and testing requirements. Consumers are turning less to ENERGY STAR products as LED products generally improve on ef- ficiency. Yet, project specifiers, designers, builders, and building codes are requiring ENERGY STAR products. Eventually something is going to have to give. The ENERGY STAR SHEMS specification, ALA’s Lighting and Homes for Tomorrow competi- tion and other utility programs will continue the push toward incorporating a systems approach for connected devices — including lighting.”
addITIonaL STandardS cHanGeS
Some Zhaga books are transferring to IEC stan- dards. There is a new joint certification program between Zhaga and DiiA (DALI), plus there are seven new Zhaga books in development.
The NEMA/ANSI C-137 Lighting Systems Committee is developing standards to cover in- teroperability for lighting control protocols and data tags. The C-137 committee has approved a digital interface standard for DALI, with an outdoor focus; meanwhile 0-10V dimming standards to aid interoperability are close to completed.
There are UL changes for TLEDs, Types A and A/B hybrids. Furthermore, efforts are underway to move light and human health research findings into the mainstream of lighting design. UL is develop- ing a standard practice with the Lighting Research Center (see http://alturl.com/fn6ub) and The WELL Building Standard has incorporated “healthy light- ing” into its building design requirements (see https://www.wellcertified.com).
reGuLaTIonS LooKInG Forward
When asked to make predictions about regulatory changes in the future, Weems points out, “With it being November, the election is one year away. The future of regulatory activity could be nothing or could be everything should the political winds bring a new occupant to the White House.”
Special thanks to Michael Weems and Terry McGowan of the ALA, for their assistance.
*Disclaimer: The information in this article is current as of the submission date, September 16, 2019.
46 enLIGHTenment magazine | november 2019
www.enlightenmentmag.com