EPA Enforces Fluorescent Recycling Laws in US
The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) has urged the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state governments to take violations of fluorescent lamp handling requirements seriously. Even while EPA and other agencies recommend that all mercury-containing lamps be recycled, requirements vary from state to state within USA: though almost every state requires recycling of certain lamps used in large quantities, some states require recycling of all fluorescent lamps.
“There is adequate recycling capacity and a network of lamp and mercury recyclers across the country that can help large and small generators set up a compliant recycling programme,” says Paul Abernathy of the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers.
Lighting manufacturers who are members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) publicly encourage proper disposal of mercury-containing lamps.
Use of the energy-efficient fluorescent lamps has increased in the last few years with rising energy costs. Although no mercury is released when the lamps are intact, but when they are disposed off in the trash, crushed, incinerated or broken, it can be released in the environment.
About 670 million of these lamps have been disposed off each year in the country, and it is estimated that less than 30% have been recycled, although the consumer sector recycling rate is estimated at only about 2%.
PSI is running a nationwide initiative with manufacturers to develop and implement strategies to promoteuse of energy-efficient lighting, while eliminating or reducing the mercury content and other toxins entering the environment during the life cycle of fluorescent lamps.

ENEC Mark Certification Scheme Takes Off
ENEC is the European mark for electrical products that demonstrates compliance with European safety standards. The ENEC Mark Certification Scheme has now been expanded to all electrical products, creating a single independent high quality safety mark for Europe.
Says Mike Vint, past president, European Electrical Products Certification Association, “The opening of the scheme to manufacturers worldwide improves the safety of electrical products being placed on the European market. It’s a significant shift in the way electrical products are now being certified Europe-wide. The application of the ENEC mark to an electrical product ensures that it complies with the relevant European safety standards. Monitoring of product and production provides safety assurance for the lifetime of the ENEC certification. Its expansion has been welcomed by manufacturers, certification bodies and consumer groups.”
Only independent, accredited European Certification Bodies can issue the ENEC Mark, and testing takes place in European approved test laboratories throughout the world, including manufacturers’ test laboratories. More than 14,000 certificates covering 32,000 products have already been granted since its introduction in the beginning of this year. Its scope has now been extended to include luminaires and associated components, household appliances, IT equipment, consumer electronics, safety transformers, couplers, connecting devices, controls, switches, capacitors and filters.

World Electric Lighting Market Set to Grow
Freedonia’s new industry study - World Electric Lighting - based on a market research of over 22 countries, says that global demand for electric lighting is set to increase by more than 7% per annum through 2012, and will touch $40 billion on annual gains of more than 7%. The emerging economies of China, India and Russia are projected to be the fastest growing markets for electric lighting products. Driven by rising incomes and rapidly growing non-residential construction, these three nations will account for 40% of the additional demand generated between 2007 and 2012. The greatest gains will come from China, which is expected to be the world’s largest and fastest growing market for electric lighting.
Fluorescent lamps will account for the majority of growth through 2012, benefiting from the above average growth of non-residential construction as well as increased penetration of residential markets, and spurred by energy-efficiency concerns. The incandescent lamp segment is expected to be the slowest growing, as it will face greater competition from fluorescent lamps. LED lighting devices are forecast to be the fastest growing products in every regional market, as they will continue to penetrate both the construction and manufactured goods markets. Gains will be particularly fast in the Asia/Pacific region, where demand for LED lighting is expected to nearly double between 2007 and 2012.
Although demand for electric lighting in the advanced economies is expected to lag behind the global average, demand in Netherlands, Taiwan, South Korea and the US will continue on the back of construction activity over the forecast period. However, throughout most advanced economies growth of the construction market is projected to decelerate.
Production of electric lighting is expected to continue to shift to the Asia/Pacific region, largely driven by Chinese manufacturing, which will account for nearly one-half of global shipments in 2012, a substantial share of which will be exported to the US and Western Europe. Eastern Europe is also forecast to account for an increasing share of global production, owing to increased trade with Western Europe.

Posters Warn of Counterfeit Products
BEAMA (British Electrotechnical & Allied Manufacturers), EDA (Electronic Design Automation) and several other industry associations are continuing the battle against counterfeit and non-complying electrical products with a full-size poster via electrical wholesalers.
The poster featuring a raging inferno, and the slogan ‘Counterfeit Kills, be safe don’t electrocute your customers’, reinforces the message to electrical contractors to only buy from reputable wholesalers, especially EDA members. Through a direct marketing campaign wholesalers are urged to display the poster at trade counters, and for their customers to report counterfeit electrical products.Says Alan Birks, president, BEAMA installation sector, “We believe that despite the obvious attraction of buying cheaper products, especially during these credit crunch times, most contractors will draw the line at deliberately installing inferior quality and potentially dangerous products. Electrical wholesalers and contractors have a vital role to play. The poster may encourage customers to buy their installation equipment from a reputable wholesaler. But it’s everyone’s responsibility in the supply chain to be vigilant concerning counterfeit electrical products.”

Training Programme for Distributors
Schneider Electric has launched a new Industrial Control and Automation Training Programme to offer distributors the knowledge and skills they need to increase sales and improve customer service. The courses, which are targeted at Schneider Electric distributors, are easily adapted and modified to meet the exact needs of the attendees and the business they work for.
The company’s product managers and product application engineers have compiled courses that cover all of the key topics needed to sell control and automation products and solutions. Being up-to-date with such information can enable distributors to increase add-on sales and provide a complete solutions service to customers.
Prospective candidate’s knowledge, skills and role in his organisation are assessed before attending a course. This ensures that learning is structured and attendees gain maximum benefit from the courses they attend. Where possible, the trainers will also take the courses to the distribution company, so that on-site training can be gained.
Some of the courses can also be used to create a Pick and Mix training plan, which is tailored to meet the needs of the company as a whole, and the distribution team gains varied skills. Courses range from the basic Industry Awareness and Essential Solution to the more advanced CCS (Collaborative Control System). The former looks at fundamentals of automation and controls and ways to sell commodity products. The latter offers plant managers increased visibility, monitoring and control over their production line to reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs, machine safety etc.
Andy Turtle, product training manager, comments, “The new and improved training programme will enable distributor staff to respond to enquiries and situations encountered in the industrial market place. This will make them more confident, motivated, self-sufficient and efficient, traits that are essential for increasing sales and improving productivity.”

Switches Fight Against Bacteria & Virus
Bacteria present on hands are transferred to a light switch when it is operated, which are then transmitted to the next person who touches the switch. Now there is Polygiene, which helps break the transmission path of disease.
The latest technology switches - Powerlectrik Screwless magnetic and Softedge+ (www.micromark.co.uk) feature an anti-microbial compound Polygiene that protects switches and sockets, and provides continuous defence for the lifetime of the product against harmful bacteria and viruses.
Faisal Sheikh, product marketing manager at Powerlectrik, says, “Polygiene is an anti-microbial compound which is applied to the front plates, switches and sockets. This is a breakthrough technology based on the natural ability of silver to inhibit the growth of a wide range of harmful microbes.
“With Powerlectrik’s Screwless magnetic design, absolutely no force is required when affixing the front plate. The strong permanent magnets pull and hold the front plate firmly in place, with no loss of strength throughout the life of the product. Decorating is hassle-free with no need to remove the socket or switch from the wall.”
The Powerlectrik Screwless products have a slim profile and precisely engineered features, which look modern, are robust and easy to install. The range currently consists of 16 popular variants and include light switches, shaver sockets, dimmers, phone points, cooker control units, fused connection units and aerial sockets, and comes in polished chrome, stainless steel, black nickel and brass finishes.
Softegde+ wiring devices are designed with a slightly convex front plate to offer a softer, slimline profile for a contemporary look. They are suitable for commercial and domestic application. The range includes matching white plastic fittings across switched sockets, fan isolators, connection units, telephone and LAN sockets etc.

Building Owners for Lighting Upgrades
According to new research from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and Today’s Facility Manager magazine, more than 40% of building owners plan to upgrade their lighting products and systems within the next year, creating new opportunities for electrical product manufacturers and distributors.
The two groups surveyed owners and operators of commercial, industrial, institutional and health care buildings and found that 41% are planning upgrades, primarily to save money and energy, and to lower maintenance costs. The findings reinforce NEMA’s recently launched ‘enLIGHTen America’ campaign, which seeks to build awareness of the value of modern lighting nationwide.
Said Ron Runkles, NEMA’s lighting industry director, “We’re providing a service by letting people know there is a quick payback by investing in lighting renovation.” The research also shows that 74% plan to apply for utility rebates; 61% do not utilise lighting controls; and 27% are pursuing LEED certification. In addition, 96% of building owners say that they consider sustainability either important or somewhat important.