Lamps Exempted from General Service Incandescent Lamp Standards

The information on this page pertains to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) analysis of and unit sales forecast for five lamp types, which was mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007).

Among the requirements of subtitle B of title III of EISA 2007 were provisions directing DOE to evaluate and publish within one year a benchmark unit sales estimate for five types of incandescent lamps (rough service lamps, vibration service lamps, three-way incandescent lamps, 2,601–3,300 lumen general service incandescent lamps, and shatter-resistant lamps). These lamp types were not made subject to the regulatory standards for general service incandescent lamps established by EISA 2007. Among the requirements of subtitle B of title III of EISA 2007 were provisions directing DOE to collect, analyze, and monitor unit sales of these five lamp types.

More specifically, section 321(a)(3)(B) of EISA 2007 amends section 325(l) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) by, in part, adding paragraphs (4)(B) and (4)(C), which direct DOE to do the following for each of the five lamp types in consultation with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA):

  • Collect historical unit sales data from 1990 through 2006.
  • Construct a spreadsheet model based on coincident economic indicators that closely match the historical annual growth rates of each lamp type to provide a neutral comparison benchmark estimate of future unit sales.
  • For each year from 2010 through 2025, collect unit sales data and compare the actual lamp sales in that year with the benchmark unit sales estimate to determine if the forecast has been exceeded.

If DOE finds that the unit sales for any of the five lamp types in a given year exceed the benchmark unit sales estimate by 100 percent (i.e., more than double the anticipated sales), then regulatory action on that lamp type will be initiated.

  • 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

    Notice of Data Availability 
    Final Rule; Rough Service Lamps and Vibration Service Lamps
    Public Meeting Information

    There is no public meeting scheduled at this time

    Submitting Public Comments

    The comment period is closed.

    Test Procedure

    There are currently no test procedure rulemakings for rough service lamps, vibration service lamps, three-way incandescent lamps, 2,601–3,300 lumen general service incandescent lamps, and shatter-resistant lamps.

    Public Meeting Information

    There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

    Submitting Public Comments

    The comment period is closed.

  • The five types of incandescent lamps discussed here were statutorily exempted from energy conservation standards due to their low market share. In order to verify that such basis for exemption remains valid, EISA 2007 directs DOE to monitor their shipments.

    In consultation with NEMA, DOE gathered historical shipment data on the five lamp types for 1990 through 2006. DOE then used that data to construct spreadsheet models for each lamp type that forecast unit sales estimates to 2025. The material below contains all the information associated with this forecast, including a Notice of Data Availability to inform stakeholders of the publication of the forecasts; a report that summarizes the definitions, methodology, and findings; and a spreadsheet that presents the numerical analysis.

    Starting in 2011, in consultation with NEMA, DOE gathered actual shipment data for the previous year for a comparison of actual unit sales against the benchmark unit sales estimates. The results of these comparisons are available below.

    To date, none of the five lamp types unit sales have crossed the statutory threshold for a standard. DOE will continue to monitor these five lamp types and determine whether an energy conservation standards rulemaking is required, consistent with 42 U.S.C. 6295(l)(4)(D)-(H).

    2008 Analysis and Projected Shipments

    Comparison of Actual Unit Sales against Benchmark Unit Sales Estimates

    Unit Sales for 2010
    Unit Sales for 2011
    Unit Sales for 2012
    Unit Sales for 2013
    Unit Sales for 2014
    Unit Sales for 2015
    Unit Sales for 2016 and 2017
    Unit Sales for 2018

  • There are no test procedure rulemakings for rough service lamps, vibration service lamps, three-way incandescent lamps, 2,601–3,300 lumen general service incandescent lamps, and shatter-resistant lamps.

  • 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 rough service lamps, vibration service lamps, three-way incandescent lamps, 2,601–3,300 lumen general service incandescent lamps, and shatter-resistant lamps.

    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:
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