California releases light energy efficiency and harmful substances reduction law

On January 1, 2010, certain provisions of the California Lighting Efficiency and Hazardous Substance Reduction Act came into effect. The main provisions of the law focus on energy efficiency. The goal is to reduce the lighting energy consumption of indoor residential and public facilities in California by at least 50% by 2018. Given the risks of certain heavy metals and other harmful substances, California now prohibits manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and online sellers from selling general-purpose lighting products that contain specific hazards that exceed the concentration limits. As part of its hazardous waste, the Act requires manufacturers to reduce the level of toxicity in lighting products and comply with the provisions of the EU RoHS (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances) Directive that are already in force.

As of January 1, 2010, Section 10.02 of the Act stipulates that California is prohibited from selling general-purpose lighting products that contain more than the specified concentration limit of the EU RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC). General lighting products are defined in this Act as "light fixtures, light bulbs, lamps, or other electronic devices that provide lighting functions for indoor residential, indoor commercial, and outdoor use."

Can include:

Compact fluorescent lamp

2. Straight (linear) fluorescent lamps

3. Incandescent lamps (including halogen incandescent lamps)

4. Light emitting diode (LED)

Many lighting products do not belong to "general lighting products", including the following special lighting

Facilities: electrical lights, black lights, trap lights, color lights, infrared, left-hand thread lights, marine navigation lights, plant lights, reflector lights, durable lights, shatterproof lights, signal service lights, silver bowl lights, spotlights, three light Light bulbs and shock or vibration lamps. It does not include high-output and ultra-high-output linear fluorescent lamps with a diameter greater than 32 mm, preheated linear fluorescent lamps, high-intensity discharge lamps, compact fluorescent lamps with a length greater than 9 inches, and a nationally-regulated general purpose incandescent lamp. The Act also exempts lamps that provide special lighting for individuals with special needs.

Article 10.02 of the Act provides as follows:

Since January 1, 2010, California has banned the manufacture of general-purpose lighting products that contain the EU RoHS directive for the ban on hazardous substances for sale.

Manufacturers that require general lighting products sold in or sold in California must provide technical documentation in accordance with the DTSC (Toxics Control Department) document to demonstrate that their general lighting products comply with the requirements of the EU RoHS Directive.

Manufacturers of general lighting products are required to provide California general lighting product distributors with certificates that comply with the EU RoHS directive. The certificate can be listed on the container or package.