The initial idea for the CFL Harmonisation Initiative was developed by the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), in collaboration with colleagues from China, Europe, and North America. AGO organised an initial debate on the topic at the Right Lights 6 Conference in Shanghai, China in May 2006. At that meeting, more than 80 representatives from 13 countries endorsed the principles behind the initiative. Since this time, we have more than 130 representatives from organisations (government, NGO and private sector) taking some level of active role in the initiative.
Who funds the Initiative?
Initial funding was provided primarily by the Australian Government with some support from the UK Market Transformation Programme. The Australian and UK Governments continue to support the initiative however, as the initiative has developed, a number of other groups (governments, trust and private organisations) are providing actual monetary or in kind contributions.
How many countries have endorsed the CFL Harmomisation Initiative?
To date we have not asked for formal endorsement by countries. However, more than 20 organisations (government, NGO and private sector) have formally agreed to endorse the initiative (view supporting organizations) Futhermore, the initiative was started in Shanghai in May at a meeting attended by more than 80 participants from 13 countries, and this has formed a network of interested parties. Since this time, we have had more than130 representatives from organisations taking some level of active role in the initiative.
How long before the Initiative is complete?
To facilitate planning, the projected completion date of the overall initiative is early in 2008. However, the actual completion date is somewhat dependent upon the progress made by the various elements of the initiative. At the time of writing (May 2006), the development of the revised testing protocol is approaching completion and submission to the IEC, while detailed work on compliance actions is only just beginning.
Will a global test standard for CFLs be harmonised with the existing international standard formulated by IEC?
Absolutely. The is no desire to create an alternative standard that competes with existing protocols in use around the world in fact the objective is just the opposite. What this initiative is trying to achieve is to assist in the development of a protocol that is fit for purpose (accurate, cost effective measurement of key CFL performance criteria) and that can be adopted by as many organisations as possible. For this to be the case, the standard has to be adopted by one of the international standards agencies. At present (May 2006), discussions are underway with the IEC as to whether the developments in the testing method should be proposed as an amendment to the existing standard or a replacement.
Would this work on CFLs include standards on performance and photometric requirement for luminaires?
At this stage luminaires will not be considered. However should the CFL Harmonisation Initiative prove successful, it is hoped that harmonisation activities will expand to include other internationally traded technologies.
Why do almost all of the test methods that were described in the protocol differ substantially from the North American model?
As we are trying to develop a protocol that could potentially be acceptable to a wide range of international users, we have tried to identify the most suitable testing methods for supplying the information on CFL performance needed by various programmes (including those in the USA). The analysis conducted at the start of the initiative indicated that the best approach would be to start with the existing IEC protocol and develop this to be suitable for wider adoption (and to cover more performance features). While we do except there is still significant differences between the draft protocol and that normally used in the US, we have to strike a balance between the needs of the US and the rest of the world and we are in discussion with a number of the key US actors with this in mind.
What is a CFL?
The term CFL has now come into common usage as the abbreviation or shorthand for compact fluorescent lamps. CFLs were introduced globally in the 1980s as a high efficacy alternative to normal incandescent bulbs. As they have a higher efficacy than an incandescent lamps , they produce more lumens per watt of energy used. This increased efficacy, coupled with longer lifetimes (typically in the range of 6,000 to as high as 10,000 hours), CFLs are a useful tool to achieve greater levels of energy efficiency and combat climate change. In order to allow for an easier retrofit (or a replacement of old parts or appliances with new), CFLs are manufactured to fit into the same bulb socket as an incandescent.
The goal of the International CFL Harmonisation Initiative is to make CFLs more widely available to the public. If you have anymore questions or would like to learn more about CFLs or the Harmonisation Initiative, two useful links are provided below:
The initial idea for the CFL Harmonisation Initiative was developed by the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), in collaboration with colleagues from China, Europe, and North America. AGO organised an initial debate on the topic at the Right Lights 6 Conference in Shanghai, China in May 2006. At that meeting, more than 80 representatives from 13 countries endorsed the principles behind the initiative. Since this time, we have more than 130 representatives from organisations (government, NGO and private sector) taking some level of active role in the initiative. 
