Importance of Harmonizing Regional Product Standards:

Transcription

1 Importance of Harmonizing Regional Product Standards: Case Study of Compact Fluorescent Lamps Peter du Pont, Ph.D. Vice-President, Clean Energy Asia, Nexant Presented at Workshop on Energy Efficiency Policies in the ASEAN Region Sponsored by IPEEC/WEACT and MEMR Jakarta, October

2 Background Have worked on energy efficiency and energy policy for the past 28 years, 22 of these in Asia Lead clean energy programs in Asia for Nexant, an energy technology and consulting company Until recently (July 2011), managed a regional clean energy program, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) This presentation highlights work funded by USAID and the Australian government Disclaimer: I do not represent USAID or the Australian government, but I am reporting on an initiative funded by them 2

3 Topics Covered What is the Problem? How the Asia Lighting Compact (ALC) was formed The ALC Quality System and Registry Impact of the ALC Benefits of the ALC 3

4 What is the Problem We are Trying to Solve? The urgency of climate change, combined with political commitments worldwide to phase out incandescent lamps have the makings of massive policy failure: If a global quality assurance scheme for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is not put in place soon, consumer confidence in CFLs will plummet. 4

5 Rum Smugglers circa

6 CFL Lamp Smugglers circa

7 CFL Benchmarking Report, 2009 Funded by USAID and Australian government Tested more than 2,600 samples from six (6) countries Largest international CFL benchmarking test Confirmed that 40-50% of CFLs being sold in Asia are poor quality 7

8 Poor Quality Lamps Don t Even Last 2,000 Hours! Source: USAID ECO-Asia CDCP 8

9 You Get What You Pay For but You Don t Have to Pay That Much Source: USAID ECO-Asia CDCP 9

10 Poor Quality Lamps Have Higher Mercury Levels Source: USAID ECO-Asia CDCP 10

11 Less than 2/3 of Lamps Pass Basic Quality Standards Source: USAID ECO-Asia CDCP 11

12 The Asia Lighting Compact a brief introduction 12

13 What is the Asia Lighting Compact? Problem addressed: Up to half of lamps in the region are substandard Lack of common standards Lack of consumer awareness ALC is An independent, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of lighting products and encouraging the adoption of energy-efficient lighting in Asia. An impartial public-private initiative not tied to any particular government or commercial organization Membership-based, open to all stakeholders in Asia Works to reduce barriers to trade and mitigate climate change through the harmonization of lighting standards across the region. 13

14 What is the Asia Lighting Compact? National lighting associations in Asia The largest lighting companies in the world Asia-based lighting manufacturers Government agencies Testing labs Multilateral organizations 14

15 The ALC CFL Quality System and the ALC Registry 15

16 All Three ALC tiers are Based on Existing Standards: Tier 1 (Good) China MEPS Tier 2 (Better) Efficient Lighting Initiative Tier 3 (Best) UK Energy Saving Trust ALC s guidelines are voluntary, transparent, publicly reviewed, and consistent with IEC standards 16

17 The ALC Quality Registration System Suppliers qualify their CFLs with the ALC by filling out a registration form and supply required documentation Registered CFLs will carry the markings of their qualifying levels, and will be listed in the ALC Quality Registry. ALC Quality Registry is accessible the public on line from ALC website for free. ALC Quality Registry will soon include country specific test results for various models. Thailand, Philippines and Australia are the first three countries to agree to share such data with stakeholders through the ALC Product Registry. 17

18 The ALC Quality System for CFLs: Currently: More than XX participating suppliers More than XXX qualifying CFL models 18

19 Impacts of the ALC 19

20 What Would Adoption of ALC Guidelines Mean? Significant improvement in CFL quality for 30-40% of the market (= billion CFLs in Asia) Consumer satisfaction: maintain or increase current adoption rates for CFLs in Asia Reduced waste from burned out incandescent and CFL lamps Reduced greenhouse emissions and pollution from electric generation 20

21 Large Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reduction Through Phasing Out Shoddy Quality CFLs: 21

22 Benefits of the ALC 22

23 Benefits for Large Purchasers of CFLs A partner in emissions reductions and product labeling initiatives Harmonized standards = ease of purchasing Increased consumer confidence in CFLs (and other energyefficient products) Increased customer confidence, benefits to the brand Reduced returns and exchange costs A concrete example of corporate social and environmental responsibility 23

24 Benefits for Government Agencies and Multilaterals ALC provides the role of an impartial third party to assure product conformance to important international standards. ALC can be a useful source of information for sourcing products for national and local efficiency procurement programs. Ease of product specifications A partner in product labeling initiatives Protection of consumers, particularly lower-income consumers Increased confidence in CFLs, and in energy-efficiency initiatives generally Reduction of GHG emissions, increased energy security 24

25 Benefits for Suppliers and Manufacturers Differentiation of quality products and quality suppliers Harmonization of standards = lower costs Ease of export, reduced barriers to trade Mutual recognition of test results across Asia Increased consumer confidence in CFLs Demonstration that suppliers take environmental issues seriously Representation for all Asia lighting stakeholders Collective knowledge on technical and regulatory issues and programs for Asia 25

26 Benefits for Lighting Organizations and Associations Increased consumer confidence in the products of organizations members Creates regional leverage for national standards Reduced barriers to trade, mutual recognition of test results (e.g., posting on-line of country-specific test results) A forum for exchanges of valuable ideas and regional practices Greater access for national organizations members to the latest information about standards and lighting development 26

27 Latest ALC Initiative -- LEDs ALC has established an LED Working Group ALC is working on the basis of recent USAID-funded report on LEDs to: Identify important regional technical issues for LED quality Devise a practical strategy for developing regional quality standards for LED lighting LED workshop in Singapore, 1-2 Nov Objective: Avoid going through the same CFL Quality Learning Curve as LED market expands in Asia 27

28 For More Information Jag Arora Managing Director Asia Lighting Compact Singapore 28