Asia Lighting Compact: Regional Quality Assurance

My K. Ton, Contractor – Team Leader, Energy Efficient LightingSanjeev Tamhane, Contractor – India Country Manager

ECO-Asia Clean Development and Climate Program

National Seminar on Energy Efficient Lighting DesignsMayfair Banquets, Worli, Mumbai 20-21 October 2009

India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India. 23-24 October, 2009

Presentation Overview: 5 Parts

• Part 1: Background on ECO-Asia CDCP’s activities related to energy efficient lighting in Asia

• Part 2: Follow-up actions since 2007 report on CFLs

• Part 3: Overview of the Asia Lighting Compact

• Part 4: Potential Impacts and Benefits of the ALC

• Part 5: Conclusion and Recommendations

Presentation Part 1:Background on ECO-Asia CDCP’s activities related to energy efficient

lighting in Asia

Overview of Regional CFL Programs and Markets

2007 USAID released a report covering China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam (96% of GDP of developing Asia). Analysis covered:

CFL marketsProduct qualityPricing trendsRegulations governing the sales of CFLs Programs to promote CFLs

Regional Analysis of CFL Programs and Markets: Findings

Common Regional Issues:1.Rapid growth in CFL production capacity ~2.5

billion units worldwide in ‘07 (~3 billion in ’08) 2.Significant quality concerns3.Proliferation of CFL promotional programs4.Proliferation of CFL standards and specifications

– 48 sets of CFL standards worldwide5.No common quality standards (testing,

performance)

Regional Analysis of CFL Programs and Markets: Findings

Common Regional Issues (continued):6. Little/no publicly available test data on CFL

quality7. No price signal for high-quality CFLs (higher

price may or may not mean higher quality)8. Lack of regionally recognized quality thresholds9. Coordinating with governments in different

countries to harmonize national standards is very difficult.

Regional Analysis of CFL Programs and Markets: Recommendations

Recommendations for Asia:1. Recognize that sub-standard CFLs are a

serious policy problem2. Develop regional agreement on a common test

procedure3. Develop common performance quality

standards for the region4. Adopt a regional quality certification level

Regional Analysis of CFL Programs and Markets: Recommendations:

Recommendations for Asia (continued):5. Develop a regional framework for standards and

labeling of CFLs 6. Increase public awareness about CFL quality7. Seek funding for testing and compliance8. Seek technical assistance in improving CFL

manufacture9. Provide exchange of information and technical

experts

Presentation Part 2:Follow-up actions since 2007 report

on CFLs

Regional Analysis of CFL Programs and Markets: Actions Taken

Follow up to 2007 report: Formation of Manila Compact (signatories include ELCOMA)

Manila Compact Actions

Action #1:Develop a Regional Quality Guidelines for CFLs,

keeping in mind the characteristics of a mass-produced, international product that needs to be:

Efficient,Affordable,Long lasting,Approximate the incandescent lamp in fit, function and light.

Regional CFL Quality Guidelines

Action #1: Regional CFL Quality Guidelines Development:Based on extensive analysis of international standards.Used a “tiered” approach: good, better, best to closely reflects the needs across AsiaConsidered characteristics necessary for broad acceptance of CFLs by:

Regional CFL Quality Guidelines

Action #1: Regional CFL Quality Guidelines Development

All 3 “tiers” based on existing standards where available:• Tier 1 (Good) – China MEPS• Tier 2 (Better) – Efficient Lighting Initiative +• Tier 3 (Best) – UK Energy Saving Trust

No reinvention of the wheel, Guidelines reference international, existing standards, all IEC-based. (Note: Tier 2 is closely aligned with BIS)

Regional CFL Quality Guidelines

CFL Guidelines performance categories:

Regional CFL Quality Guidelines

CFL Guidelines performance categories:

Manila Compact Actions

Actions #2: Establish a new, independent organization in order to:

Implement product marking systemPromote harmonization of standards and product qualityOperate regional product registry, the “Asia CFL Quality Registry”Outreach to manufacturers of good-quality CFLsWork with national governments and public and private agencies.

Manila Compact Actions

Actions #2: Establish a new, independent organization in order to:Promote a common quality guidelines for Asia.Support IEC processOutreach and educate CFL usersOutreach and educate purchasers on quality products (Carrefour, Tesco, WalMart, Ikea, etc)Outreach and educate other institutions (World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Project Developers, Carbon Finance Organizations)

Presentation Part 3: Overview of The Asia Lighting

Compact

Overview of the Asia Lighting Compact:

Asia Lighting Compact (ALC) is:• The organization created to fulfill the ideals of

the Manila Compact• An independent, non-profit organization

dedicated to improving the quality of lighting products and encouraging the adoption of energy-efficient lighting in Asia.

• Impartial, and not tied to any particular commercial organization or driven by political or corporate motivations.

Overview of the Asia Lighting Compact:

Asia Lighting Compact (ALC):• Was formed through a public-private initiative• Works to reduce barriers to trade and mitigate

climate change by harmonizing quality and energy-efficiency standards for lighting across the region.

• Is a membership-based organization open to all stakeholders in Asia.

Overview of the Asia Lighting Compact:

The ALC’s membership includes:• National lighting associations in Asia, • Some of the largest lighting manufacturers in

the world,• Government agencies,• Institutions and Independent Organizations.ALC Founding Members:

Overview of the Asia Lighting Compact:

Asia Lighting Compact current activities include:• Administration and promotion of a quality

system for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).• Operation and maintenance of the Asia

Quality Registry – a system for online reporting and tracking of quality, efficient lighting products.

Overview of the Asia Lighting Compact:

The ALC Quality Registration System is:• Voluntary, transparent, publicly reviewed,

consistent with the standards of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC),

• Suppliers can qualify their quality CFLs with the ALC using an online registration system.

• Registered CFLs will carry the markings of their qualifying levels, and will be listed in the ALC Quality Registry.

Asia Lighting Compact:

Update on ALC Status:• An organization structure has been defined• A legal document has been created• The organization is being registered as an

independent, non-profit regional industry association in Singapore

• Marketing and funding plans are under development• Has funding commitment from US Government,

Australian Government, and private funderALC official press launch: October 29, 2009

at the Hong Kong Lighting Fair.

Presentation Part 4: Potential Impacts and Benefits

of the ALC

Potential Impacts of CFL Quality Guideline Adoption

Adoption of ALC Guidelines can mean:Significant improvement in CFL quality for 50% of the market (~1 – 2 billion CFLs in the Asia market)Ensure consumer satisfaction: maintain or increase current adoption rates for CFLs in AsiaReduce waste from both burned out incandescent and CFL lampsReduce mercury emissions from both electric generation and prematurely failed CFLs

Potential Impacts of CFL Quality Guidelines Adoption

Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reduction Through Phasing Out Shoddy Quality CFLs:

Potential Benefits

Benefits for Suppliers:Promote quality products and their manufacturersPromote harmonization of standards and mutual recognition of test results across Asia.Representation for Asia lighting stakeholders Collective knowledge on technical and regulatory issues and programs for Asia.

Potential Benefits

Benefits for CFL Suppliers (Continued):Help to save time and costsHelp to protect market from shoddy products by developing and promoting a CFL standard and marking system for Asia (as well as other light sources in the future).Ease of export to other Asian markets for Indian Suppliers

Potential Benefits: for Government Agencies & Large Users

Benefits for government agencies and large purchasers: ALC provides the role of an impartial third party to assure product conformance to important international standards.ALC can be a useful source of information for sourcing products for national and local efficiency procurement programs.Ease of specifications for Architects and Builders

Potential Benefits

Benefits for other Lighting Organizations:A forum for exchanges of valuable ideas and regional practices for quality lighting and harmonization of standards.Participating in the ALC helps national organizations and associations provide greater access for their members to news and information on international and regional standards and lighting development

Presentation Part 5: Conclusions and Recommendations.

Conclusions1. Opportunities exist for Asia region to work together to

improve lighting quality2. Issues need to be solved both:

Technically: develop better testing capacity and quality specifications, regionally accepted standards etc., and Politically: regional agreement on quality guidelines for products, and increased awareness of the issue of quality

3. Experience from regional CFL cooperation can translate into other products – such as LEDs

4. There remains an opportunity for organizations to lead and participate in regional discussions and activities regarding CFL quality, as well as harmonization of LEDs

Recommendations for Asia (both LEDs & CFLs)

• Assume many products will not perform as claimed • Lamp testing and labeling can help consumers and

institutions purchase the most high quality, energy efficient, long-lived products

• Rebates or giveaways programs for the best products can help persuade new users to try them for the first time

• Focus on quality helps ensure users have a positive experience

Thank you!

For more information, contact:sanjeev@cleanenergyasia.netmyton@cleanenergyasia.net

www.cleanenergyasia.net