The SSL Annex draft performance tiers

The International Energy Agency Efficient Electrical End-Use Equipment Solid State Lighting (IEA 4E SSL) Annex published the first draft of its performance tiers for solid state lighting products on November 1, 2011.  In the interest of ensuring that the tiers are developed to represent the best available knowledge, a stakeholder comment period was held from November 1, 2011- March 1, 2012.  A number of comments were received. 

The following response to comments received was issued on April 20th 2012:

1. Draft Performance Tiers: Response to comments received

Comments received on the draft performance tiers:

1. Arkanz Lighting
2. Asia Lighting Compact
3. Danson Electronics
4. European Environmental Citizens' Organisation for Standardisation (ECOS)
5. Global Lighting Forum
6. Lemnis Lighting
7. NEMA Comments

The following draft document was issued for comment on February 7th 2012:

1. Draft Performance Tier Criteria Explanations and Importance
   

The following draft documents were issued for comment on November 1st 2011:

1. IEA 4E SSL Performance Tiers Cover Letter
2. Definitions of the 4 SSL performance tiers
3. Performance tiers for SSL Omnidirectional replacement lamps
4. Performance tiers for SSL Directional replacement lamps
5. Performance tiers for SSL Downlight fixtures
6. Performance tiers for Linear LED fluorescent replacement lamps

Notes on the draft performance tiers

The Annex is not a standards-making organization and these proposals for Performance tiers should not be considered a proposed “Performance Standard”. The creation of “Performance Standards” is the responsibility of organizations like the IEC, ANSI, etc.  National Governments are also responsible for national performance standards, minimum efficiency programs or energy efficiency programs like ENERGY STAR.  The work of the Annex is to build consensus between member governments and to provide guidance to interested stakeholders.  

The Annex was established in 2009 under the framework of the International Energy Agency’s Efficient Electrical End-Use Implementing Agreement to provide advice to its eight member countries seeking to implement quality assurance programs. This international collaboration brings together the governments of Australia, Denmark, France, Japan, Sweden, The Netherlands, UK and the USA.  The draft performance tiers have been developed with the assistance of twenty technical experts from nine countries and represent "early stage proposals."  They do not reflect an agreed position by member governments at this stage but are issued to provide a basis for meaningful engagement with industry and other stakeholders.    

The participants of the IEA 4E Annex are requesting that stakeholders review these documents and submit written comments to   no later than February 1, 2012 in order for the comments to be integrated into further drafts.  In the interests of transparency, the annex will post written comments received from all stakeholders to the www.ssl.iea-4e.org/performance-tiers website.  When posted, comments and proposals will be accessible to everyone.

The Annex will be collecting suggestions and comments from all stakeholders from November 1, 2011 until February 1, 2012. The Annex intends to revise the performance tier levels, definitions and criteria based on feedback received.  In the spring of 2012, the Annex's expert group members will revise the performance tiers and the Management Committee will vote to endorse them as final guidance documents to release publicly. The Annex appreciates your suggestions and welcomes any additional thoughts you may have on these tiers.  Depending on the level of interest, 4E may organize a Conference in 2012 to gain further input from stakeholders.