New Lamp Regulations Made Easy
On 23 May 2024, South Africa enforced new regulations for General Service Lamps (GSLs) to improve safety and energy efficiency.
GSL Types Covered: Primarily LED lamps in various shapes and base types, including screw, bayonet, pin base, and linear types.
Key Changes
New Specifications:
All GSLs must meet new safety and performance standards, which must be clearly communicated on the lamps and their packaging.
Phase-Out of Old Lamps:
Incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs for general household use will be phased out.
Timelines
Phase 1 (Effective 24 May 2024):
All GSLs must have a minimum luminous efficacy of 90 lumens per watt (lm/W).
Phase 2 (Effective 24 May 2026):
The required efficacy will increase to 105 lm/W.
Packaging Requirements
Packaging must clearly display:
- Rated power in Watts
- Rated initial total lumens
- Rated clour temperature (CCT) in Kelvin(K)
- Energy efficiency label compliant with South African guidelines
- Rated efficancy in lumens per watt
- Rated operating voltage
- Dimmability statement and dimmer compatibility information
- Beam angle (for directional lamps)
- Rated lifetime in hours
- If exempted, a statement that the lamp is not intended for general illumination purposes
Identifying
Compliance
Packaging:
Ensure all required specifications listed above
are present.
Letter of Approval (LOA):
Manufacturers and importers must provide
a Letter of Approval confirming compliance.
Verify with your suppliers that LOAs are
available and up-to-date.