The matter of lighting legislation is a vast topic with a lot of information to try to break down. As a consumer, there are a few things you need to know. If you are looking to learn more about some of the major lighting legislation news in recent history, here are a few worth noting.
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) comes into existence in 1975. This act would be crucial in determining which solutions were deemed safe for consumers to use based on safety to the individual and the planet as well. This was an important act because it was one of the first to consider the impacts of certain products on the state of the planet and health of humans. While the matter of lighting wasn’t specifically addressed, it would set the standard of looking at consumer products from a more environmentally friendly standpoint.
In 1992, the EPCA would be amended based on new research and findings. The biggest piece of lighting legislation to come out of this was related to creating a minimum efficiency standard for both incandescent and fluorescent lighting solutions. It was also amended so that the Department of Energy was given a leading role in creating new lighting legislation which was another step in the right direction in terms of environmentally safe products for consumers. Prior to this measure, there weren’t as many rules regarding what a manufacturer could sell to consumers in terms of lighting, so this was a way to add some safety regulations where needed without as much pushback from corporations.
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 put a focus on codes and standards being followed by business owners. It offered tax reductions for businesses following certain energy efficient practices with their lighting to act as an incentive to conserve energy.
The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) passed in 2007. This new legislation gives more ruling and responsibility to the DOE in regulating products to further protect the consumer and the planet. The other way the EISA changed lighting is that it was a move to phase out less efficient types of incandescent in favor of fluorescent and LED technology.
When you look at lighting legislation, the laws are mostly aimed at businesses and lighting solution manufacturers more so than the consumer or homeowner. However, understanding these laws is a good way to keep up to date on energy conserving solutions to do your part in protecting the planet.