EEI classification

The comparability of the input power drawn by fluorescent lamp circuits rests on the CENELEC standard.
In the majority of cases energy generation goes hand in hand with producing the socalled greenhouse gas CO2 as a by product. However, at the climate protection conferences in Rio, Kyoto, The Hague and Bonn, the European states agreed to reduce CO2 emissions.
Against this background, the EU commissioned the Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique (CENELEC) with elaborating a European standard for measuring the total input power of fluorescent lamp circuits (ballast lamp).
After being produced by the Technical Board "CENELEC TC 34 Z (Luminaires and Accessories)", the "Measurement Method of Total Input Power of Ballast Lamp Circuits" (EN 50 294:1998) came into effect on 01.06.1999.
The resulting comparability of the input power made it possible to draw up assessment criteria for identifying ecologically compatible ballasts.

Against the background of international requirements to reduce greenhouse gases (world climate protection conference), European Directive 2000/55/EC governs the use of ballasts for fluorescent lamps. The new directive regarding energy efficiency requirements prohibited the sale of energy-class D ballasts on the European market (EU) with effect from 21.05.2002 and will prohibit the sale of energy-class C ballasts .