Vol. 148, No. 2 — January 15, 2014

Registration

SOR/2013-260 December 31, 2013

ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACT

Regulations Amending the Energy Efficiency Regulations

P.C. 2013-1510 December 31, 2013

Whereas, pursuant to subsection 26 of the Energy Efficiency Act (see footnote a), a copy of the proposed Regulations Amending the Energy Efficiency Regulations, substantially in the annexed form, was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on October 5, 2013;

Therefore, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Natural Resources, pursuant to sections 20 (see footnote b) and 25 of the Energy Efficiency Act (see footnote c), makes the annexed Regulations Amending the Energy Efficiency Regulations.

REGULATIONS AMENDING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY REGULATIONS

AMENDMENTS

1. (1) The definition “reference standard spectrum lamp” in subsection 2(1) of the Energy Efficiency Regulations (see footnote 1) is repealed.

(2) The definitions “modified spectrum lamp” and “vibration service lamp” in subsection 2(1) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

“modified spectrum lamp” means a lamp, other than a coloured lamp, that

“vibration service lamp” means a lamp that

(3) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition “general service lamp” in subsection 2(1) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

(4) Paragraphs (i) and (j) of the definition “general service lamp” in subsection 2(1) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

(5) The definition “general service lamp” in subsection 2(1) of the Regulations is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (s), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (t) and by adding the following after paragraph (t):

(6) Paragraph (c) of the definition “luminous flux” in subsection 2(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(7) Subsection 2(1) of the Regulations is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

“CIE 15” means the CIE standard CIE 15: 2004 entitled Colorimetry; (CIE 15)

“IES LM16” means the IES standard IES LM-16-1993 entitled Practical Guide to Colorimetry of Light Sources; (IES LM16)

“modified spectrum incandescent lamp” means, subject to subsection (4), a modified spectrum lamp that has

but it does not include

(8) Subsection 2(4) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(4) For the purposes of Part II, the definitions “general service lamp” and “modified spectrum incandescent lamp” do not include a rough service lamp, a vibration service lamp, a shatter resistant lamp or a lamp with an E26d screw base as specified in ANSI C81.61.

2. (1) The portion of subsection 3(1) of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

3. (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (30), the following products are prescribed as energy-using products:

(2) Subsection 3(1) of the Regulations is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (z.91), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (z.92) and by adding the following after paragraph (z.92):

(3) Subparagraphs 3(21)(c)(i) and (ii) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

(4) Section 3 of the Regulations is amended by adding the following after subsection (29):

(30) A product referred to in paragraph (1)(z.93) shall not be considered to be an energy-using product

3. Paragraph 4(1)(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

4. Section 4.4 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

4.4 In respect of an energy-using product referred to in paragraph 3(1)(j.5) or (z.93), compliance with the energy efficiency standard referred to in subsection 4(1) shall be determined in accordance with the testing procedures established by IES LM45 and IES LM49 that are applicable to the product, except that it must be tested at 120 volts regardless of its nominal voltage.

5. Section 10.1 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

10.1 This Division applies to the following energy-using products:

6. (1) Subparagraph 12(2)(e)(i) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Paragraph 12(2)(g) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

7. Items 136 to 139 of Part 1 of Schedule I to the Regulations are replaced by the following:

Item

Column I


Energy-using Product

Column II


Standard/Legislative Provision

Column III

Energy Efficiency Standard

Column IV


Completion Period

136.

General service lamps with a luminous flux < 750 lm

Section 4.4 for luminous flux, nominal power and life

CIE 13.3 for colour rendering index

nominal power ≤ 29 W life ≥ 1 000 hours

colour rendering index ≥ 80

on or after December 31, 2014

136.1

General service lamps with a luminous flux ≥ 750 lm and < 1 050 lm

Section 4.4 for luminous flux, nominal power and life

CIE 13.3 for colour rendering index

nominal power ≤ 43 W life ≥ 1 000 hours

colour rendering index ≥ 80

on or after December 31, 2014

136.2

General service lamps with a luminous flux ≥ 1 050 lm and < 1 490 lm

Section 4.4 for luminous flux, nominal power and life

CIE 13.3 for colour rendering index

nominal power ≤ 53 W life ≥ 1 000 hours

colour rendering index ≥ 80

on or after January 1, 2014

136.3

General service lamps with a luminous flux ≥ 1 490 lm

Section 4.4 for luminous flux, nominal power and life

CIE 13.3 for colour rendering index

nominal power ≤ 72 W life ≥ 1 000 hours

colour rendering index ≥ 80

on or after January 1, 2014

137.

Modified spectrum incandescent lamps with a luminous flux < 563 lm

Section 4.4 for luminous flux, nominal power and life

CIE 13.3 for colour rendering index

nominal power ≤ 29 W life ≥ 1 000 hours

colour rendering index ≥ 75

on or after December 31, 2014

137.1

Modified spectrum incandescent lamps with a luminous flux ≥ 563 lm and < 788 lm

Section 4.4 for luminous flux, nominal power and life

CIE 13.3 for colour rendering index

nominal power ≤ 43 W life ≥ 1 000 hours

colour rendering index ≥ 75

on or after December 31, 2014

137.2

Modified spectrum incandescent lamps with a luminous flux ≥ 788 lm and < 1 118 lm

Section 4.4 for luminous flux, nominal power and life

CIE 13.3 for colour rendering index

nominal power ≤ 53 W life ≥ 1 000 hours

colour rendering index ≥ 75

on or after January 1, 2014

137.3

Modified spectrum incandescent lamps with a luminous flux ≥ 1 118 lm

Section 4.4 for luminous flux, nominal power and life

CIE 13.3 for colour rendering index

nominal power ≤ 72 W life ≥ 1 000 hours

colour rendering index ≥ 75

on or after January 1, 2014

8. The portion of item 15.6 of Schedule IV to the Regulations in column II is replaced by the following:

Item

Column II

Standard/Legislative Provision

15.6

ANSI C79.1 for description

Section 4.4 for luminous flux, nominal power and life

CIE 13.3 for colour rendering index

9. Schedule IV to the Regulations is amended by adding the following after item 15.6:

Item

Column I


Energy-using Product

Column II

Standard/ Legislative Provision

Column III



Information

15.61

Modified spectrum incandescent lamps

ANSI C79.1 for description

Section 4.4 for luminous flux, nominal power and life

CIE 13.3 for colour rendering index

(a) lamp description;

(b) nominal power and, in the case of a three-way lamp, the nominal power at each operating level;

(c) luminous flux and, in the case of a three-way lamp, the luminous flux at each operating level;

(d) colour rendering index; and

(e) life.

COMING INTO FORCE

10. These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)

Executive summary

Issues: In response to comments from consumers and industry, the Government of Canada is amending the minimum energy performance standards (see footnote 2) (MEPS) for commonly used light bulbs (see footnote 3) (i.e. 40, 60, 75, and 100 W replacement light bulbs) in Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations) to permit a form of incandescent halogen bulb, which is available in the United States, to also be imported or shipped interprovincially for lease or sale in Canada. This bulb was not permitted under the standards which were made in December 2008, and would apply to products manufactured in 2014 and thereafter.

This amendment will

  • provide more lighting options to Canadians, specifically, an incandescent halogen bulb which closely resembles and performs like a traditional incandescent bulb;
  • reduce the regulatory compliance burden on industry; and
  • support the Government’s regulatory policy of aligning with American standards, where feasible.

Description: The MEPS for commonly used light bulbs will be adjusted slightly to align with the U.S. standards, with the result that an additional form of incandescent halogen bulb is compliant.

Cost-benefit statement: The lighting standards in this amendment allows consumers to choose to purchase higher efficiency products and continue to use alternatives that offer the characteristics that they prefer, such as dimming capability, bulb configuration or light quality. In addition, businesses that operate in both Canada and the United States can expect a decrease in costs due to the integration of product distribution.

It is anticipated that the amended standards will deliver between $749 million and $2.4 billion in net benefits to Canadians from energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) savings. This includes up to 7.5 megatonnes of reduced GHG emissions per year in 2025.

The energy savings attributable to these amended standards will be less than the estimated savings of the current standards because the amendment permits a slightly less efficient bulb to be compliant. However, all products that meet the amended standards consume at least 28% less energy than the traditional incandescent light bulbs available on the market today.

“One-for-One” Rule and small business lens: The “One-for-One” Rule does not apply as this amendment does not impose new administrative burden on business. The small business lens does not apply as this amendment has no impact on small businesses.

Domestic and international coordination and cooperation: The Government of Canada collaborates on MEPS development with both the United States and the provinces. Aligning Canada’s MEPS for light bulbs with those in the United States will continue to support the seamless flow of goods within the North American market for these products, and continue to support consumer choice for Canadians by maintaining availability of the incandescent halogen light bulb in Canadian markets. Provinces that have MEPS for energy-using products have consistently aligned their standards with the federal standards.

Background

Amendment 10 to the Regulations — Setting the light bulb standards

The traditional incandescent light bulb loses about 90% of its energy as heat. From 2007 on, as lighting technologies improved in performance and fell in price, jurisdictions such as Australia, the European Union, the United States and Canada (both at the federal level and the provincial level in Ontario and British Columbia) saw an opportunity to phase out traditional incandescent light bulbs, and realize GHG emission reductions (approximately seven megatonnes per year in 2025) by implementing minimum energy performance standards for general service lighting (i.e. light bulbs). (see footnote 4)

In December 2008, under the authority of the Energy Efficiency Act, Canada amended the Regulations (SOR/2008-323) to prescribe MEPS for commonly used light bulbs. Standards introduced in Amendment 10 to the Regulations were to apply to 100 W and 75 W light bulbs manufactured on or after January 1, 2012, and to 60 W and 40 W light bulbs manufactured on or after December 31, 2012.

A variety of bulbs are available on the market that would meet the standards, as written in 2008, including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), incandescent halogen infrared lamps (which are virtually indistinguishable from traditional incandescent bulbs) and light emitting diode (LED) bulbs.

The standards, as written in 2008, defined the maximum amount of electricity that can be used to generate a given amount of light and are set at a level that is about 30% more efficient than the traditional incandescent light bulb, thereby reducing electricity consumption and the GHG emissions that can result from its generation. The Regulations prevent non-compliant products from being imported into Canada or from being shipped across provincial borders. Exclusions to standards were identified where a costeffective, efficient replacement was not available which includes light bulbs for utility bulbs (such as those for use on farms and in industrial applications), coloured bulbs, appliance bulbs, tri-lights and candelabra bulbs. The standards do not affect sales or any product already in Canada, such as those found in retail stores or those found in the homes of Canadians.

Amendment 12 to the Regulations — Delaying the implementation of the standards

Concerns have been raised by some Canadians and the media regarding CFLs, namely their mercury content, the method for their proper disposal, their perceived associated health effects, and their performance.

In 2011, the federal government delayed the date of manufacture for the application of the MEPS for light bulbs by two years to January 1, 2014, for 100 W and 75 W replacement light bulbs and to December 31, 2014, for 60 W and 40 W replacement light bulbs. The rationale for the delay in implementation was to allow more time for additional communications (i.e. to effectively communicate lighting choices to Canadian consumers), for further advances in lighting technology to develop, to allow both public and private sector programs dealing with the disposal of CFLs to be more firmly established, and to investigate any health-related concerns with CFLs. Amendment 12 to the Regulations was published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, in November 2011 (SOR/2011-228).

Since November 2011, Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan or the Department) research has revealed a widespread general recognition by Canadians of energy efficient lighting, but also a level of uncertainty concerning the product choices available. NRCan has revised the public information available to Canadians on its Web site to provide guidance on choosing energy-efficient light bulbs and how to phase out inefficient ones. It has met on these issues with industry and utilities stakeholders to discuss how best to inform Canadians. In addition, all provincial and territorial governments are members of a lighting committee where proposed standards were discussed, and Ontario and British Columbia have been particularly engaged. NRCan has also reached out to the retail industry to develop material for salespeople to inform Canadians about the lighting choices. NRCan has also liaised with Health Canada and Environment Canada to ensure that accurate information is available concerning the perceived health effects associated with the mercury content in CFLs.

An important indicator of success in these efforts is the level and substance of correspondence with the public. Incoming correspondence from Canadians revealed that one of the primary concerns was the availability of an affordable alternative product to CFLs. From March 2010 to January 2012, immediately prior to the delay in the implementation of the standards, NRCan received 152 comments from the public on the subject of light bulbs (73 letters to the Minister of Natural Resources and 79 emails to the Department). Of these, 93 expressed concerns about the implementation of the standards, primarily due to the lack of options or concerns surrounding the mercury content and the proper disposal of CFLs. After Amendment 12 to the Regulations was made, communications totalled about 80 submissions — slightly less than half of which involved concerns with the lighting standards. The majority of the remaining correspondence was to seek information about alternatives to incandescent lighting, exceptions to the Regulations, and technical information about technologies. From July 2, 2013, to July 19, 2013, NRCan received 183 new pieces of correspondence raising similar concerns regarding CFLs, including the perceived health effects and performance of the bulbs. This campaign was in response to media opinion pieces calling on the Government to rescind the implementation of the standards coming into force in January 2014.

Difference in the standards between the United States and Canada

The U.S. approach to determining the light bulb standards is different from that used in Canada, Australia and the European Union. The U.S. approach sets a maximum energy input for a range of light outputs; for example, any light bulb that provides from 750 lumens to 1 049 lumens is allowed a maximum energy consumption of 43 W. (see footnote 5) The Canadian, Australian and European Union standards specify maximum energy consumption for each specific light output. Essentially, the U.S. standards allow the use of a light bulb (i.e. the incandescent halogen light bulb) that is less efficient and provides slightly less light than the incandescent halogen infrared light bulb, which would not meet Canada’s light bulb MEPS, as written in 2008.

The incandescent halogen light bulb that manufacturers developed to meet the U.S. standards was introduced in 2011 in advance of the implementation of U.S. standards for 100 W replacement bulbs in 2012 and for 75 W replacement bulbs in 2013. In the United States, standards for 60 W and 40 W replacement bulbs will be in effect in 2014.

Issues

Adopted in 2008, the MEPS for commonly used light bulbs (i.e. 40, 60, 75, and 100 W replacement light bulbs) in the Regulations are not fully aligned with those in the United States. In anticipation of these standards applying to light bulbs with a date of manufacture of 2014 and after, a review of the light bulbs currently available in Canada and the United States revealed that incandescent halogen light bulbs will meet U.S. standards but would not meet the Canadian MEPS, as written in 2008, which are slightly higher. Aligning the Canadian MEPS with the U.S. standards permits the incandescent halogen bulb technology to be compliant in Canada. This provides more choice to consumers, particularly those who raised concerns about CFLs. It also supports the Government’s 2011 Regulatory Cooperation Council policy to align the Canadian regulatory regime with the U.S. regulatory regime wherever feasible.

Objective

To align Canada’s MEPS for commonly used light bulbs that are set to come into force in 2014 in Canada with those in the United States.

Description

This amendment aligns Canada’s MEPS for commonly used light bulbs with those adopted in the United States. (see footnote 6) There is no change to the date of application of the MEPS and how the lamps are tested.

The standards will also apply to a type of light bulb called modified spectrum incandescent lamps, which are specialty lamps generally purchased because of their ability to showcase certain colours. The standards for these bulbs will be 25% lower than for the general service lamps.

Regulatory and non-regulatory options considered

Proposed option

Aligning Canada’s MEPS with the U.S. standards for light bulbs will provide consumers who have concerns about the suitability of CFLs and LEDs as replacement light bulbs with access to an additional technology that looks and operates like the traditional incandescent light bulb. It will help to support the continued practice of economic integration and strong trade relations with the United States, and a seamless flow of goods within the North American market for these products. This approach may result in reduced energy savings and GHG reductions compared to the current standards but facilitates greater consumer choice and reduces regulatory burden.

Status quo option

The MEPS that were published in 2008 would have maintained the energy and emission savings originally forecast. However, fewer lighting choices would be available to consumers in Canada and the misalignment between the Canadian and U.S. standards could represent undue burden for the major light bulb manufacturers. Suppliers of the North American market would have been required to provide different products for the Canadian and U.S. markets, thereby adding additional pressure on their manufacturing and distribution practices and adding cost to the supply of efficient light bulbs.

Repeal of the MEPS option

Repealing the current Canadian MEPS entirely would have allowed any type of light bulb regardless of its energy efficiency to be imported or shipped interprovincially for the purpose of lease or sale. Given the focus on energy efficiency for lighting at the international level, this option would have caused Canada to lag behind most developed countries in this area, and Canada could have become susceptible to product dumping from manufacturers from other countries seeking to sell traditional incandescent light bulbs no longer permitted in their own country. Suppliers to the Canadian light bulb market had already made considerable investments in research, development and retooling to meet the MEPS as written in 2008. Canadian retailers had begun selling, promoting, and educating consumers about more efficient bulbs. Without standards, some consumers would still have moved to more efficient alternatives, particularly as the costs declined, but energy and GHG savings associated with the proposed option would be delayed or at risk of not occurring.

Benefits and costs

The benefits and costs of amending the minimum energy performance standards for general service lighting are evaluated in five parts:

  1. Benefits and costs to society. A quantitative analysis measuring the change in economic attractiveness to society was conducted for the products specified in the standards as compared to the current standards as written in 2008.
  2. Energy/GHG analysis. A description of the analysis of aggregate energy changes and associated impact in GHG emissions, resulting from the expected market outcomes of the standards as compared to those of the current standards.
  3. Benefits and cost to business. A qualitative discussion of the impact of the standards on affected manufacturers and dealers as compared to that of the current standards.
  4. Benefits and cost to Government. A qualitative discussion of the impact of the standards to Government as compared to that of the current standards.
  5. Total net benefits. An estimate of the cumulative net present value to all of Canadian society from the standards as compared to that of the current standards.
General

Efficient bulbs save money for consumers in two ways, compared to traditional incandescent bulbs — they need to be replaced less frequently because they last longer and they use less energy; therefore, they save on electricity costs. However, efficient bulbs tend to cost more than traditional incandescent bulbs — from under $1 more per bulb to over $10 more. It is expected that many consumers will opt for lower purchase cost light bulbs.

Non-economic factors also play a role in shaping consumers’ purchasing decisions. It is expected that consumers would value the greater choice of products in the market under this amendment. Further, some consumers would value access to another technology that does not have the issues associated with CFLs such as

Consumers who reject CFLs are indicating that non-monetized benefits related to incandescent halogen bulbs are more valuable to them than the potential long-term cost savings associated with CFLs.

Two scenarios have been examined with respect to consumer purchasing:

The actual outcome could fall somewhere in between the low-end and high-end scenarios.

1. Benefits and costs to society
Methodology and assumptions

The methodology used to calculate the costs and benefits associated with the revised standards compares a single product below the proposed standards to a single product that meets the standards, over a year of use of the product. To allow comparability between lighting options, the purchase cost was amortized on an annualized basis with a 7% discount rate to reflect the time value of money. All analyses reflect three hours of use per day.

Product-specific assumptions are based on market analysis reports, testing reports, industry data from Electro Federation Canada, engineering studies, experience in other regulating jurisdictions, stakeholder consultation, and other data sources.

The price of electricity is based on the energy forecast in Canada’s Energy Future: Energy Supply and Demand Projections to 2035, from the National Energy Board. The estimated national average price of a kWh of electricity in 2014 and 2015 is estimated to be $0.086 and $0.089 in 2012 dollars, respectively.

GHGs are valued using Environment Canada’s social cost of carbon. The estimated price of GHGs per kWh of electricity in 2014 and 2015 is estimated to be $0.014 in 2012.

All prices are based in year 2012 dollars, using Statistics Canada’s consumer price index for “all items.”

A sensitivity analysis was carried out with high and low energy prices and replacement bulb costs and is available on request.

Anticipated results

The results of the benefits and costs analysis, detailed in Annex 1, indicate that the revised standards could deliver $2.4 billion in net benefits to Canadians, in a high-end scenario, where incandescent halogen bulbs have 25% of the market and CFLs have 75% of the market. In this case, Canadians would be paying $388 million in increased costs for more efficient light bulbs, but this increase in cost is more than offset by $2.83 billion in energy and GHG savings resulting from the more efficient light bulbs. These results aggregate all costs and benefits to 2025 across all consumers and businesses using an expected cumulative number of light bulb shipments from 2014 to 2025, compared to a case where there are no standards.

In a low-end scenario, where incandescent halogen bulbs have 75% of the market and CFLs have 25% of the market, the standards could deliver $749 million in net benefits to Canadians. In this case, Canadians would be paying $1.1 billion in increased costs for more efficient light bulbs, but this increase in cost is more than offset by $1.85 billion in energy and GHG savings resulting from the more efficient light bulbs.

These results are $189 million to $1.9 billion lower than under the current standards, as written in 2008, for the high- and low-end scenarios, respectively. The impacts on individual consumers will be small, but they are larger when aggregated cumulatively across all consumers and over 10 years of analysis.

2. Energy/GHG analysis
Methodology and assumptions

Energy savings associated with MEPS for light bulbs were calculated for both the residential and commercial sectors. The reductions in GHG emissions were calculated by applying emissions factors (see footnote 9) for specific fuels consistent with those published by Environment Canada (see footnote 10) and based on the marginal fuels (see footnote 11) used to generate the electricity that would be saved through the standards.

Anticipated results

Table 1 indicates that the standards, under a low-end scenario, would reduce energy use by 37.1 petajoules per year and GHG emissions by 5.17 megatonnes per year in 2025. Under a high-end scenario, the standards would reduce energy use by 51.5 petajoules and GHG emissions by 7.5 megatonnes in 2025.

In 2025, these results would be 14.8 petajoules per year and 2.4 megatonnes per year lower than under the current standards, under the low-end scenario and 0.51 petajoules per year and 0.07 megatonnes per year lower under the high-end scenario.

3. Benefits and cost to business

Industry, distributors and retailers consistently articulated the viewpoint that an aligned U.S./Canadian market for light bulb products would reduce their overall costs once the Canadian standards came into effect in 2014. The amendment will achieve alignment with the U.S. standards, which is beneficial to Canadian industry, distributors, and retailers because it allows for the continued seamless flow of goods within the North American market for these products, and permits decreased costs for those companies that operate in both U.S. and Canadian markets as they would be able to integrate their marketing and distribution practices. Therefore, there is a non-monetized benefit of an aligned market under the standards when compared to the current standards.

The amendment does not change the administrative or compliance burden imposed on dealers for these currently regulated light bulbs.

4. Benefits and cost to Government

Resources have already been approved for the Energy Efficiency Standards and Labelling Program under the EcoENERGY Efficiency Initiative (2011–2016) for bringing these standards into force, maintaining the regulations, and compliance and labelling efforts. Thus, the amendment would result in no incremental impact to the Government.

5. Total net benefits

Because NRCan could not monetize the impacts to business and because there is no change in the impact on Government, the net impact to society is the same as presented above in section 1 and in Annex 1. In 2025, there will be at least $749M in cumulative net benefits as a result of general service lighting standards, 37.1 petajoules of energy savings per year and a reduction of 5.17 megatonnes in GHG emissions per year.

“One-for-One” Rule

The “One-for-One” Rule does not apply to this amendment, as it does not impose new administrative burden on business.

Small business lens

The small business lens does not apply to this amendment, as the changes do not impact small businesses.

Consultation

Since the publication of Amendment 10 to the Regulations in 2008, and the publication of Amendment 12 in 2011, NRCan has continued to welcome comments on the 2014 implementation of the MEPS and has been available to answer any questions and concerns from Canadians regarding the more efficient alternative lighting options available on the market (e.g. CFLs, LEDs).

Subsequently, NRCan has kept a record of all inquiries concerning Canada’s lighting standards. The dialogue in the written, electronic, and telephone inquiries received and responded to by NRCan demonstrates that of the 37% of Canadians who are aware of Canada’s efficiency standards for lighting, a small minority continue to express concerns (particularly about CFLs) despite a delay in the implementation of the standards. Accordingly, it is anticipated that Canadians would likely not object to the continued availability of the incandescent halogen light bulb on the Canadian market, as it would allow for an additional product choice for Canadian consumers.

In November 2012, major lighting manufacturers supplying the market in Canada wrote NRCan requesting that Canada’s standards be aligned with those in the United States. Accordingly, it is generally expected that industry manufacturers would be supportive of the standards.

Additionally, the amendment was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on October 5, 2013, for a 75-day comment period. At this time, a notice inviting comment was sent by email to over 1 600 industry stakeholders.

Result of prepublication

A Canadian industry association, representing seven major light bulb and fixture manufacturers, expressed strong support for harmonizing with the U.S. due to increased consumer choice and decreased cost to business. Their view was that the previous standards approach did not guarantee the energy savings while the revised approach, as used in the U.S., does. They also suggested removing the requirement to report on the colour rendering index for some light bulbs as it does not vary much and is a testing burden. However, as this requirement is used to determine compliance, is aligned with the U.S., and is currently being reported in the U.S. and Canada, this requirement remains in the Regulations.

Approximately 26 comments were received from private citizens. Similar to comments received prior to the prepublication of the proposed amendments to the Regulations, these individuals expressed concern over the disappearance of the incandescent light bulbs, the light quality, hazardous waste, mercury content, and the lifetime performance claims of alternative technologies.

A member of Parliament wrote expressing concerns about alternatives to traditional incandescent bulbs and an associated online appeal has generated approximately 1 600 supporters. The concerns were similar to those described above.

This commentary identifies no new problems or issues related to the revised standards. The commenters seem unaware of the additional option, the efficient halogen incandescent bulb, provided under the revised standards. NRCan will continue communicating the choices available to consumers including the availability of the efficient halogen incandescent bulb and the benefits of efficient lighting.

Media coverage of the proposed revision following prepublication of the proposed revision consists of 35 newspaper items, 87 radio stories, and 19 television stories. The reports were generally factual and neutral. Negative opinions were of the nature expressed thoughout the entire regulatory process for this product, querying the viability of alternatives and the need for government action.

The revised standards will result in more energy efficient light bulb choices for consumers and associated energy cost savings which should help to mitigate the concerns raised.

Regulatory cooperation

The amendment aligns the MEPS for light bulbs with those in the United States, but implements the standards as per the following table:

Date of Manufacture

United States

Canada

January 1, 2012

100 W

January 1, 2013

75 W

January 1, 2014

60 W / 40 W

100 W / 75 W

December 31, 2014

60 W / 40 W

In British Columbia, the current Canadian standards for 100 W and 75 W replacement bulbs as published in 2008 apply, while the standards for 60 W and 40 W replacement bulbs are set to apply to light bulbs manufactured on or after December 31, 2014.

Ontario’s standards are completely aligned with the current federal standards, and are therefore set to apply to 100 W and 75 W light bulbs manufactured on or after January 1, 2014, and to 60 W and 40 W light bulbs manufactured after December 31, 2014.

British Columbia and Ontario may amend their standards following this amendment to ensure identical requirements in all regions. Otherwise, industry will have to customize shipments to different jurisdictions, depending on their destinations within Canada. However, the decision to change standards is at the discretion of the respective provincial governments.

Rationale

The purpose of the amendment is to align Canada’s current MEPS for commonly used light bulbs with those in the United States. This will provide Canadian consumers, who expressed concerns about CFLs, with an additional light bulb replacement option, which looks exactly like the traditional incandescent light bulb but is more efficient, and which is comparable to CFLs in purchase cost. While this amendment results in a slight decrease in the stringency of the current standards, Canada’s eco-energy programs would still contribute to significant energy savings, GHG emission reductions and economic benefits for Canadians in the long term.

Implementation, enforcement and service standards

The amendment comes into force upon registration of the Regulations. It applies to the light bulbs manufactured on or after the prescribed dates of manufacture upon import or interprovincial shipment for the purposes of lease or sale. All major stakeholders would be notified of the revised standards by email upon registration of the final Regulations.

The compliance and enforcement procedures already in place under the Regulations and the Energy Efficiency Act will continue to serve for these standards. The main features of this system are reporting and customs monitoring. Energy performance data is submitted to NRCan by the dealer in an energy efficiency report as specified in the Regulations. This is only required once for each model, before importation or inter-provincial shipment. Customs monitoring occurs upon importation, when dealers are required to provide specific data elements on their customs documents. This information is then checked against the energy efficiency reports to ensure compliance with the Regulations.

As the amendment aligns with standards in the United States, compliance risks are much less than they would be if Canada had unique standards. Canada also benefits from the compliance regime that is in place to support U.S. standards. Canada and the United States are part of an integrated North American market and when aligned, both jurisdictions benefit from each other’s enforcement regimes, thereby reducing the risks of non-compliance.

Performance measurement and evaluation

Performance measurement and evaluation plans have been established for the Energy Efficiency Standards and Labelling Program as a whole, and these include this regulatory activity where key activities and outputs are identified, expectations are quantified, ongoing data collection from program files are maintained, and appropriate targets are defined.

A formal evaluation of the Energy Efficiency Standards and Labelling Program by NRCan’s Evaluation Branch was completed in July 2010 for the period from 2005 to 2009. The evaluation reported that because of standards implemented under the Energy Efficiency Act, improvements in the energy efficiency of energy-using equipment happened much more quickly than they would have otherwise.

NRCan routinely conducts technology and market assessments to determine the energy consumption of products sold in Canada and identify distribution channels. These studies provide evidence of the energy and environmental impacts of previously established standards and serve as a reflection of the performance of the program. They also assist in determining the cost-benefit and environmental impacts of future revisions to MEPS.

The current Canadian MEPS for light bulbs were originally identified in the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda. This revision to the standards is being implemented under the current ecoENERGY Efficiency Standards and Labelling Program. Detailed accounts of progress towards achieving the objectives of this initiative will be found in departmental business plans, reports on plans and priorities, and the Report to Parliament under the Energy Efficiency Act. A formal evaluation of the program is planned for 2014–2015.

Contacts

John Cockburn
Director
Equipment Division
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
CEF, Building 3, Observatory Crescent, 1st Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0Y3
Telephone: 613-996-4359
Fax: 613-947-5286
Email: equipment@nrcan.gc.ca

For more information on the full cost-benefit analysis, please contact

Laura Oleson
Director
Demand Policy and Analysis Division
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street, 18th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0E4
Email: equipment@nrcan.gc.ca

Annex 1

Benefits and Costs (Millions of 2012 Dollars) — Quantified Impacts

The tables below present the national-level impacts for the standards in this amendment compared to the standards as written in 2008, in both low- and high-end scenarios. Each table presents the annual benefits and costs discounted to 2012, the cumulative present value of the benefits, costs and net present value of benefits (benefits minus costs) to 2025, plus the annualized average for each. The benefits comprise the cumulative energy saved in each year by switching to a more efficient light bulb and the corresponding GHG emission reductions. The costs are the cumulative costs of switching from an incandescent light bulb to a more efficient light bulb.

Standards as written in 2008 Costs, benefits and distribution Annual Totals Total Cumulative Present Value (PV) Annualized Average
2014 ... 2025
A. Quantified impacts (in millions of CAN$, 2012 constant dollars)
Benefits Electricity Canadians 117   371 2,458 309
GHGs 18   60 387 49
Costs   Canadians 12   31 209 26
Net benefits 2,635 332
B. Quantified impacts in non-$ (monetized in section A)
Impact on Canadians Energy savings (petajoules) 8.54   52.03 524  
GHG emission reductions (megatonnes) 1.22   7.57 76.30  

Standards in this amendment Costs, benefits and distribution Annual Totals Total Cumulative Present Value (PV) Annualized Average
2014 ... 2025
A. Quantified impacts (in millions of CAN$, 2012 constant dollars)
Benefits Electricity Canadians High End
116   372 2,447 308
Low End
79   253 1,584 199
GHGs High End
18   60 388 49
Low End
12   41 264 33
Costs Cost of replacement bulbs Canadians High End
19   58 388 49
Low End
45   166 1,099 138
Net benefits High End
2,446 308
Low End
749 94
B. Quantified impacts in non-$ (monetized in section A)
Impact on Canadians Energy savings (petajoules) High End
8.45   51.52 519  
Low End
8.85   37.19 379  
GHG emission reductions (megatonnes) High End
1.21   7.50 76  
Low End
1.18   5.17 53  

Net differences Costs, benefits and distribution Annual Totals Total Cumulative Present Value (PV) Annualized Average
2014 ... 2025
A. Quantified impacts (in millions of CAN$, 2012 constant dollars)
Benefits Electricity Canadians High End
–1   1 –11 (1)
Low End
–38   –118 –874 (110)
GHGs High End
0   0 1 0
Low End
–6   –19 –122 (15)
Costs   Canadians High End
7   27 179 23
Low End
33   135 890 112
Net benefits High End
–189 (24)
Low End
–1,886 (237)
B. Quantified impacts in non-$ (monetized in section A)
Impact on Canadians Energy savings (petajoules) High End
(0.09)   (0.51) (5)  
Low End
0.31   (14.84) (145)  
GHG emission reductions (megatonnes) High End
(0.01)   (0.07) (1)  
Low End
(0.04)   (2.40) (24)  
C. Qualitative impacts (non-monetized)
  • Reduced costs to business