The Energy Efficiency (Ballasts for Fluorescent Lighting) Regulations 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement European Parliament and Council Directive 2000/55 EC on energy efficiency requirements for electric mains-operated ballasts for fluorescent lighting sources as defined in paragraph 3.4 of European Standard EN50294. The Directive specifies minimum standards of energy efficiency (in terms of electricity consumption) which must be met by such ballasts which are placed on the Community market.

Regulation 4 prohibits the placing on the Community market of ballasts which exceed the maximum allowable electricity consumption values laid down in Schedule 1; and makes provision for affixing the EC mark illustrated in Schedule 2.

Regulation 5 lays down the rules requiring the compulsory EC declaration of conformity relating to a ballast. Regulation 6 requires suppliers to establish and maintain technical documentation to enable assessment of whether the EC mark has been properly affixed to a ballast. Regulation 7 prohibits the affixing to a ballast of misleading markings.

Under regulation 8, manufacturers are obliged to bring non-conforming ballasts on the market into conformity or withdraw them from the market as soon as practicable. Regulation 9 obliges manufacturers to take all necessary steps to achieve a manufacturing process which ensures that ballasts comply with their technical documentation and the requirements of the Regulations.

Regulation 10 provides that breach of regulation 8 or 9 shall be actionable by civil proceedings. Regulation 11 and Schedule 3 create criminal offences and contain other provisions on enforcement.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment, estimating the financial impact of the Regulations on suppliers of ballasts etc., can be obtained from: Energy, Environment and Waste Directorate, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE.