MEPS Requirements for Incandescent Lamps

Overview

Commencing 1 November 2009, certain general purpose incandescent lamps are required to comply with Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) that are set out in AS/NZS 4934.2-2008. Test procedures for Incandescent Lamps are set out in AS/NZS 4934.1-2008.

From 1 February 2009 there has been an import restriction for general lighting service (GLS) incandescent lamps implemented through Commonwealth Regulation. Further information is available on the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service website

The intended timeline for various lamp types being subject to MEPS is as follows.

Lamp Types	Sales Restriction From
Tungsten incandescent GLS lamps ELV halogen non reflector	1 Nov 2009
>40W Candle, fancy round and decorative lamps ELV halogen reflector	Oct 2010
Mains voltage halogen non-reflector *	1 January 2011
Mains voltage reflector lamps including halogen (PAR, ER, R, etc) >25W Candle fancy round and decorative lamps	Oct 2012
Pilot lamps 25W and below	To be determined dependent on availability of efficient replacement product

*Refer to Regulatory Ruling #30

The definitions of Lamp Types in the above table can be found in the summary of Part 2 of the Australia / New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 4934.2-2008). These include tungsten filament and tungsten halogen lamps with varying voltages, wattages, shapes and lamp caps, used for general purpose lighting. MEPs will also be applied to Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).

MEPS eliminate lower efficiency lamps from the market.

MEPS for incandescent lamps are specified as minimum Efficacy (in lumens per Watt). The required minimum initial lamp efficacy (in lm/W) is given by the formula:

2.8 x ln(L) - 4.0
where ln(L) is the natural logarithm of the measured initial luminous flux (in lumens)

The curve resulting from this formula is depicted in the figure below.

There are also requirements for Lumen Maintenance (minimum of 80% measured at 75% of rated lamp life) and Minimum Lamp Life (median lamp life of at least 2000 hours). The methods for measurement of efficacy, lumen maintenance and lamp life are set out in AS/NZS 4934.1.

Note that until 30 September 2012, when tested in accordance with AS/NZS 4934.1, Mains Voltage Halogen non reflector lamps covered by the Interim Standard shall have an initial efficacy as follows:

Initial efficacy shall be ≥ 0.95 x [2.8 ln (L) − 4.0]

Where L = Initial luminous flux of the lamp in lumens

Refer to

Find out how to make an application for MEPS.

More details from the relevant standards can be found here.

This page last modified 04 November 2010