General Service Fluorescent Lamps
The Department of Energy (DOE) has regulated the energy efficiency level of general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs) since 1994. GSFLs are fluorescent tubes with pins at one or both ends for installation. These lamps are generally installed in ceilings.
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DOE published a Federal Register final rule regarding general service fluorescent lamps and incandescent reflector lamps. 80 FR 4041 (January 26, 2015) For more information, please see the rulemaking webpage.
Standards for General Service Fluorescent Lamps
The following content summarizes the energy conservation standards for GSFLs. The text is not an official reproduction of the Code of Federal Regulations and should not be used for legal research or citation.
Current Standard
For the purpose of this regulation, standards pertain to following general service fluorescent lamps:
- Any straight-shaped lamp (commonly referred to as 4-foot medium bipin lamps) with medium bipin bases of nominal overall length of 48 inches and rated wattage of 25 or more;
- Any U-shaped lamp (commonly referred to as 2-foot U-shaped lamps) with medium bipin bases of nominal overall length between 22 and 25 inches and rated wattage of 25 or more;
- Any rapid start lamp (commonly referred to as 8-foot high output lamps) with recessed double contact bases of nominal overall length of 96 inches;
- Any instant start lamp (commonly referred to as 8-foot slimline lamps) with single pin bases of nominal overall length of 96 inches and rated wattage of 52 or more;
- Any straight-shaped lamp (commonly referred to as 4-foot miniature bipin standard output lamps) with miniature bipin bases of nominal overall length between 45 and 48 inches and rated wattage of 26 or more; and
- Any straight-shaped lamp (commonly referred to 4-foot miniature bipin high output lamps) with miniature bipin bases of nominal overall length between 45 and 48 inches and rated wattage of 49 or more.
General service fluorescent lamps manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 430.32(n).
Each of the general service fluorescent lamps listed in the table below must meet or exceed the applicable listed lamp efficacy standards. This information is also in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
Each of the following general service fluorescent lamps manufactured after July 14, 2012, shall meet or exceed the following lamp efficacy standards shown in the table.
Table 1. Energy Conservation Standards for General Service Fluorescent Lamps
| Lamp type |
Correlated color temperature |
Minimum average lamp efficacy (lm/W) |
| 4-foot medium bipin |
 4,500K
> 4,500K and 7,000K |
89
88 |
| 2-foot U-shaped |
4,500K
> 4,500K and 7,000K |
84
81 |
| 8-foot slimline |
4,500K
> 4,500K and 7,000K |
97
93 |
| 8-foot high output |
4,500K
> 4,500K and 7,000K |
92
88 |
| 4-foot miniature bipin standard output |
4,500K
> 4,500K and 7,000K |
86
81 |
| 4-foot miniature bipin high output |
4,500K
> 4,500K and 7,000K |
76
72 |
For further guidance or to submit questions related to the implementation of this standard, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.
Waivers
No test procedure waivers have been issued for general service fluorescent lamps.
For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 430.27.
Exceptions
DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) has authorized exception relief for general service fluorescent lamps.
For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.
State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption
DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the Federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart D.
Small Business Exemptions
Any manufacturer of a covered product with annual gross revenues that do not exceed $8,000,000 from all its operations and meets certain other conditions may apply for an exemption to the energy conservation standard. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart E.
The current energy conservation standards for GSFLs are mandated by Part A, the "Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles" of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended. (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) These appliances are treated as covered products under Part A. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(14))
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 amended EPCA to establish energy conservation standards for certain types of fluorescent lamps. DOE published a final rule in July 2009 amending standards for covered general service fluorescent lamps. DOE published a final rule in May 1997 revising test procedures for general service fluorescent lamps established by an interim final rule in 1994.
Test Procedures
2009 Final Rule
1997 Final Rule
Helpful Links and Contact Information
Helpful Links
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
For more information related to the regulation of this product, please email:
general_service_fluorescent_lamps@ee.doe.gov
