In Europe, various lighting standards and guidelines exist to ensure safe , efficient , and healthy lighting in both work and residential environments. These standards are often developed by organizations such as CEN (European Committee for Standardization) and CIE (International Commission on Illumination) and are intended to guarantee light quality, energy efficiency, and health protection.
Important European lighting standards
1. EN 12464-1 - Lighting of workplaces: Indoor lighting
- This standard provides guidelines for lighting in workplaces and sets specific requirements for the lighting of offices , industries , educational institutions and other work spaces.
- Requirements : It specifies the minimum illuminance for different activities (usually measured in lux), such as 300 lux for office work or 500 lux for technical work .
- Aspects : It also takes into account lighting efficiency , visual comfort , glare and colour rendering index (CRI) in the working environment.
2. EN 1838 - Lighting of safety installations
- This standard covers the lighting of emergency lighting systems and the lighting required in safety and evacuation conditions .
- Application : This includes lighting exits, stairwells, and emergency lighting in buildings. The purpose is to guide people safely in the event of a fire or other emergency.
- Requirements : It describes, among other things, the minimum lighting levels and the requirements for durability of lighting in emergency situations.
3. EN 13201 - Road lighting and street lighting
- This standard defines the requirements for lighting of rural roads , highways and urban roads , and covers aspects such as lighting of intersections , signs and cycle and pedestrian paths .
- Requirements : The standards specify the appropriate illuminance to ensure the safety of vehicles and pedestrians, taking into account visual comfort and road safety .
- Application : Applicable to city paths as well as highways and motorways .
4. EN 15193 - Energy efficiency of lighting in buildings
- This standard addresses energy efficiency in lighting systems within buildings and is part of the broader European energy management .
- Application : The guideline is applied in commercial buildings , offices , schools and healthcare institutions to optimise energy consumption and minimise CO2 emissions .
- Requirements : It specifies lighting requirements and efficiency standards for various applications, with an emphasis on energy-efficient lighting , such as LED lighting .
5. EN 1773 - Lighting in industrial and workshop environments
- This standard covers the lighting of industrial workspaces, warehouses, and production environments where specific lighting is required for safety , precision , and productivity .
- Requirements : This includes the requirements for brightness and visual comfort , as well as attention to specific tasks , such as welding or fine mechanical work , where intensive lighting is needed.
6. EN 62031 - LED lamps and luminaires
- This standard covers LED lamps and LED luminaires and specifies the requirements for safety , performance and quality control of LED lighting systems.
- Application : It is applicable to the design requirements for the production of LED lighting for both indoor and outdoor use.
Other European directives and standards
7. CIE 15:2004 - CIE Color Rendering Index
- This standard addresses the color rendering index (CRI) of lighting, which is important for assessing the color quality of light sources. The higher the CRI, the better colors appear under that lighting.
8. EU Directive 2010/30/EU - Lighting efficiency
- This is European legislation aimed at the energy-saving design and energy efficiency of lighting systems. It sets requirements for the energy class of lighting products, including lamps and luminaires, and uses energy labels to help consumers make energy-efficient choices.
9. EU Directive 2009/125/EC - Ecodesign
- This guideline focuses on design requirements for energy-related products , including lighting. The goal is to reduce energy consumption of lighting worldwide and reduce the production of energy-wasting lighting .
Summary of the most important standards
- EN 12464-1 : Lighting of workplaces (indoors).
- EN 1838 : Lighting of safety installations.
- EN 13201 : Lighting of rural roads.
- EN 15193 : Energy efficiency of lighting in buildings.
- EN 1773 : Lighting in industrial workshops.
- EN 62031 : Safety and performance requirements for LED lamps.
- CIE 15:2004 : Colour rendering index (CRI).
These standards ensure that lighting is both safe and effective, and help promote energy efficiency and sustainable lighting design in Europe. They are important for building projects , energy management , and the integration of new technologies such as LED lighting.