General Service Fluorescent Lamps

As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “general service fluorescent lamp” means any fluorescent lamp that can be used to satisfy the majority of fluorescent lighting applications, but does not include any lamp designed and marketed for the following nongeneral application: (1) Fluorescent lamps designed to promote plant growth; (2) Fluorescent lamps specifically designed for cold temperature applications; (3) Colored fluorescent lamps; (4) Impact-resistant fluorescent lamps; (5) Reflectorized or aperture lamps; (6) Fluorescent lamps designed for use in reprographic equipment; (7) Lamps primarily designed to produce radiation in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum; and (8) Lamps with a color rendering Index of 87 or greater. 10 CFR 430.2 Manufacturers have been required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs) since 1992.

  • For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.

    Standards

    Final Determination
    • Federal Register, 88FR9118 (February 13, 2023)
    Notice of Proposed Determination
    Request for Information
    Final Rule

    The GSFL energy conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE-2011-BT-STD-0006 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

    Public Meeting Information

    There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

    Submitting Public Comments

    The comment period is closed.

    Test Procedure

    Final Rule
    • Federal Register, 87FR53618 (August 31, 2022)
    Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Request for Comment
    Request for Information

    The GSFL test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2017-BT-TP-0011 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

    Public Meeting Information

    There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

    Submitting Public Comments

    The comment period is closed.

  • GSFLs manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 430.32(n).

  • To determine that GSFLs that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 430.23(r). The methods to conduct the test procedure are further specified in 10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix R.

  • Compliance

    DOE has established regulations on certification, compliance, and enforcement in the CFR at 10 CFR Part 429.  These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement.  More information on these regulations is available here.

    Waivers

    For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage.

    For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 430.27.

    Exceptions

    DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for GSFLs.

    For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.  

    Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions

    For information on further guidance and answers to Frequently Asked Questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.

    State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption

    DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart D.

    Small Business Exemptions

    Any manufacturer of a covered product with annual gross revenues that do not exceed $8,000,000 from all its operations and meets certain other conditions may apply for an exemption to the energy conservation standard. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart E.

    ENERGY STAR®

    DOE supports the testing and verification of ENERGY STAR® products in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency.

    Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.

  • For more information related to this product, please email:
    [email protected]