Title
Comments on Federal Trade Commission Light Bulb Labeling (NB)
The FTC has proposed new labeling requirements for "lamps," commonly known as light bulbs, in response to a congressional mandate. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was released on October 27 and staff was recently made aware of it by the County. It was recommended by EPAC that both the City and County provide comments supporting this new labeling that will help consumers better understand the energy efficiency value of certain bulbs and be able to make comparisons. Consumers can submit comments to the FTC by December 28, 2009.
Explanation
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 require the FTC to consider the effectiveness of current bulb labeling requirements and explore alternative labeling approaches. As the first step, the Commission issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking last year seeking comments on existing labeling requirements and possible labeling alternatives, and then held a public roundtable to gather more information. The Commission vote approving issuance of the notice of proposed rulemaking was 4-0.
GRU staff has reviewed the NOPR and supports the recommendations outlined below that would be required on all packaging:
* A description of the bulb's brightness in lumens rather than watts
* Estimated energy cost information
* Brightness
* Expected life of the bulb in years
* Color of the light described using temperature such as "warm" or "cool" light and using the term "light appearance"
* Wattage
* A brief description of anything harmful to humans or the environment, such as mercury in CFLs, and how to dispose of the product properly or where to get more information
* Mercury warning since most consumers will not have the packaging when the bulb burns out
* Lumens
The following is also recommended to be included on the bulb itself:
* Mercury warning since most consumers will not have the packaging when the bulb burns out
* Lumens
* Any...
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