PLASA's Guide to Latest Ecodesign Draft Regulation

PLASA has posted a document explaining what the latest draft of the Ecodesign regulations released by the European Commission could mean for the entertainment technology industry. Written by PLASA's Ecodesign task group representative Adam Bennette of ETC, the eight-page document (available in full here - PDF) lays out his views and interpretations of the contents of the second draft.

The Professional Entertainment Lighting Products Ecodesign task group -- the body that represented the industry during the public consultation -- said the situation was "far more positive" following the Commission's first draft in June, which confirmed a list of exempted lamp base types would be included in the legislation.

The second draft carries that list and in his guide, Bennette has added examples of fixtures corresponding to the relevant base types to aid understanding. There are also notes on how the Commission plans to regulate professional color-changing luminaires by creating a definition for a "color tuneable" light source, and what anything not exempted must comply with.

PLASA is hosting a seminar at the PLASA Show in London on September 18 to discuss the latest draft and the potential technical implications -- visit the show website for more information.

A third draft is expected to be released by the Commission in the next few weeks, with the text of the regulation to be published publicly on December 4.

The EU's proposed Ecodesign Working Plan 2016-2019 will require all stage lighting to meet new efficiency targets in line with domestic and office lighting, from the very latest LED lighting fixtures to specialist tungsten bulbs, both of which make up the majority of entertainment lighting rigs. At present there are three sets of lighting regulations for lighting products, but the proposed changes would streamline them into one regulation with no exceptions.

Following an initial belief that the main effect of the proposals would be outlawing tungsten light sources, it has become clear that the new regulations will have an effect dramatically wider than just banning tungsten: they will affect just about every lighting fixture used for entertainment lighting, tungsten, arc, and LED.

The new regulations are intended to start from September 1, 2020 and if implemented as written, would dramatically impact all areas of entertainment lighting and those who work in this field -- including lighting manufacturers, distributors, rental companies, installers, and lighting users.

PLASA, alongside many other trade bodies, is campaigning for an exemption from the proposed legislation. Follow PLASA's website for the latest updates and advice.