Illuminating lighting legislation for the contractor
19/03/2014 Newey and Eyre
With the recent changes to the Energy related Product (ErP) legislation as well as the introduction of the Domestic Implementation Measure 2 (DIM2) regulations, the UK's leading electrical wholesaler Newey & Eyre is urging contractors to take their time to ensure they are specifying the right lamp for the job.DIM2 aims to renew consumer confidence where LED lighting is concerned, as homeowners often have to rely on their contractor or local wholesaler to recommend the most suitable lamp. Therefore installers and wholesalers must be able to speak with confidence about the products in the market, as well as ensure that all of the products are compliant with the DIM2 regulations.
There have been many cases in which the LED lamp advertised hasn't lived up to end-user's expectations. However, the new legislation will set minimum performance standards and introduce new easier-to-understand labelling, giving consumers peace of mind. This new transparency within the market will enable people to easily compare lamps and make a more informed decision, simplifying the process for all involved.
Further to DIM2, the ErP legislation - which was updated at the end of 2013 - outlines a minimum energy efficiency rating that all lamps must meet. Originally introduced as part of the EU's carbon reduction plan, the ErP contributes to the European wide target of reducing carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2020. The updated directive pushes poorer performing lamps out of the marketplace, meaning that certain products will no longer be available, for example the non-directional CFL will not meet the new guidelines.
James Harding, category manager at Newey & Eyre, comments: "Historically some the LED lamps that have been imported into the UK have been of questionable quality, which has led to the early adopters being disappointed and feeling that the technology had not lived up to its promise.
"However, with the introduction of the DIM2 legislation and the updated ErP we believe that confidence will return to the LED sector, enabling us to weed out inferior products that aren't up to scratch. This will be beneficial for us as a wholesaler, as well as contractors and homeowners alike.
"While the legislation is certainly a step in the right direction, specifying the correct lamp for the job is also a key part of ensuring customer satisfaction. Installing energy efficient lamps will certainly help end-users to reduce their energy consumption and cut carbon emissions, but it's important to check that lamps are correctly specified. By measuring light in lumens rather than Watts, it will highlight how much light the lamp is actually emitting. This is particularly helpful when specifying a lamp, enabling the installer to specify a product based on the exact amount of light required in that space.
"As legislation within the industry is constantly evolving, we would recommend that installers discuss the specification process with an expert, such as the staff at a Newey & Eyre branch. We pride ourselves on staying abreast of the changes affecting our customers, so are always happy to help."
For more information, please contact:
Newey and Eyre
Tel: 0800 7836909
Email: help@neweysonline.co.uk
Web: www.neweysonline.co.uk
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