ALD releases guide to proposed EU lighting regulations
- Details
The Proposed 2020 EU Lighting Regulations - A Primer collects relevant information about the existing regulations (EU1194/2012), the regulations proposed for September 2020 as part of the EU’s Ecodesign Working Plan 2016-2019, and the key differences between them.
The guide highlights how the proposed regulations will not only affect tungsten lighting, but all specialist lighting fixtures used for show lighting, including arc and LED. The document also exposes that manufacturers would struggle to create many types of fixtures that meet the new standards in time, due to physics and optical design limitations.
“The deeper you read into these proposed regulations, the more alarming the threat becomes,” comments multiple award-winning lighting designer Paule Constable, a member of the ALD’s Save Stage Lighting campaign.
“The new rules are clearly written for domestic and industrial lighting, and while the goal of reduced energy consumption is of course laudable, they show no understanding of the tools we use or the way we work. If implemented as written, the effect will be devastating for show lighting not just in the UK but across Europe, not just for new shows but for existing shows and shows that return in rep, not just for big theatres but for venues and performances of all types, scales and sizes.
“We thought this was about tungsten; it’s not about tungsten. It’s about an imminent threat to every tool we use. You should know about it, and you should start doing something about it. This Primer will give you the information to let you do both.”
ALD members will receive a paper copy of the Primer with the forthcoming issue of the ALD’s Focus magazine.
The ALD is also encouraging everyone to read the Call to Arms that PLASA has issued to explain the proposals to its members.
(Jim Evans)
