After considering public comments, the Federal Trade Commission is extending the deadline for manufacturers to comply with new light bulb labels by approximately six months. The new “Lighting Facts” labels, which were announced last summer, will help consumers choose among the different lamps on the market such as incandescents, CFLs and LED lamps.
The new labels. that will appear on the back of each package of light bulbs, will provide consumers with information about the bulb’s brightness, estimated yearly energy cost, life, light appearance and wattage.
Originally scheduled for July 2011, the new labeling requirements will not take effect until January 1, 2012, to provide manufacturers more time to incorporate the new label on their bulb packages. The new labels will not be required for some incandescent lamps (e.g., 75W), which are soon to be phased out by federal efficiency standards. The FTC extended the deadline in response to a petition submitted by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
Consumers should begin to see the new labels in stores as the deadline approaches.
