NEMA Voluntary Commitment on Mercury in CFLs
Last Updated 10/25/2007 12:46 PM
What Is This?
As a result of discussions between representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and member companies of the Lamp Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), NEMA is initiating this voluntary commitment program and is making it available for use by all CFL manufacturers (who sell or make available for sale in the United States) of self-ballasted CFLs that agree to abide by the requirements of this program. This commitment will be the basis for a future NEMA standard.
Under the voluntary commitment, effective April 15, 2007, participating manufacturers will cap the total mercury content in CFLs at less than 25 watts at 5 milligrams (mg) per unit. CFLs that use 25 to 40 watts of electricity will have total mercury content capped at 6 mg per unit.
Click here to access the March 13, 2007 press release announcing the commitment.
Why?
Utilities, environmental groups, energy- efficiency consortia, and other stakeholders have recently expressed concerns that CFL penetration could be negatively impacted due to the presence of mercury in CFLs. Since CFLs are an environmentally preferable product from a total mercury life-cycle point of view, it is to industry’s advantage to minimize this concern as a potential issue. The two key responses are then to: a) limit the total mercury content of CFLs, and b) ensure that CFLs are managed in an environmentally responsible manner at end of life.
This commitment is the latest step in the industry’s efforts to reduce mercury content and is consistent with NEMA's Call to Action on hazardous substances.
Who Is Making This Commitment?
Company Declarations
Click on the company name to access its declaration.
EiKO, Ltd.
Feit Electric Company, Inc.
GE Consumer & Industrial, Lighting
Halco Lighting Technologies
Litetronics International, Inc.
Maxlite
OSRAM SYLVANIA, Inc.
Philips Electronics
SLi Lighting
Technical Consumer Products, Inc.
Ushio America, Inc.
Westinghouse Lighting Corporation
List of participating companies' non-conforming products
How Can a Company Participate?
Detailed explanation of the commitment and requirements
Commitment form
Non-conforming product form
