Guidance on Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam

The linear tubular fluorescent lamp is classified under the household equipment group that requires mandatory Energy Efficiency Testing based on the Prime Minister’s official regulations. If these Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps fail to achieve the Minimum Energy Efficiency Level dictated by the standards, they will be prohibited from production, import, and trading across Vietnam. Consequently, enterprises are keenly interested in detailed information regarding the timelines, testing methodologies, and specific product types covered. Let’s explore the essential information about Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam in this article provided by Phuc Gia!

See more: Capacity Profile Of Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation

Table of contents

1.When is it mandatory for enterprises to conduct Declaration of Energy Labeling and Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam?

a) Energy Efficiency Testing

Pursuant to the Official List and roadmap for energy-consuming equipment with low efficiency that are prohibited from being imported, produced, and traded (Decision No. 14/2023/QD-TTg)

Item 1, Section I, Appendix I of Decision No. 14/2023/QD-TTg explicitly states that “Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps” are categorized as household equipment that is prohibited to be imported, produced, or traded if their energy efficiency does not meet the minimum energy efficiency level specified in standard TCVN 8249:2013.
Appendix I of Decision No. 14/2023/QD-TTg further clarifies that the roadmap for applying Energy Efficiency Testing according to TCVN 8249:2013 for linear tubular fluorescent lamps commences “From the effective date of this Decision”.

=> This is a clear directive that enterprises are mandatory to initiate Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam starting from July 15, 2023, under standard TCVN 8249:2013, prior to any import, production, or trading activities. The product must mandatorily achieve the required minimum energy efficiency level.

b) Declaration of Energy Labeling

Pursuant to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Level requirements for the list of means and equipment subject to mandatory Energy Labeling and the implementation roadmap (Decision No. 04/2017/QD-TTG).

Clause 1, Article 1 of Decision No. 04/2017/QD-TTG confirms that Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps are included in the official List of means and equipment that require Energy Labeling and must comply with the minimum energy efficiency level.
Quoting Point a, Clause 1, Article 2 of Decision No. 04/2017/QD-TTG regarding the Energy Labeling Implementation Roadmap: “The implementation of mandatory energy labeling is required for the following group of household appliances and industrial equipment: linear tubular fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, electromagnetic and electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps, air conditioners, electric rice cookers, electric fans, refrigerators, horizontal-axis washing machines, vertical-axis washing machines, televisions, three-phase distribution transformers, and electric motors;”

=> This establishes that enterprises have been mandatory to file the Declaration of Energy Labeling for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps since January 01, 2013.

2. What is the specified technical standard for Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam?

The National Technical Subcommittee TCVN/TC/E11 – Lighting developed, the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ) proposed, and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) officially announced National Standard TCVN 8249:2013 as the governing guide for the Energy Efficiency Testing of Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps. This standard fully details the Scope of Application, Normative References, Terms and Definitions, Technical Requirements, and the Test Method.

3. What are the specific types of Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps subject to mandatory Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Decision No. 14/2023/QĐ-TTG, Appendix I specifies the energy efficiency testing standard for Compact Lamps as:

TCVN 8249:2013 on Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps – Energy Efficiency

Quoting from Section 1 (Scope of Application) of TCVN 8249:2013, the standard stipulates:

“This standard applies to double-capped tubular fluorescent lamps intended for general lighting purposes (hereafter referred to as fluorescent lamps), with a power range from 4 W to 65 W, designed for use with both 50 Hz frequency ballasts and high-frequency ballasts connected to the mains supply with a rated voltage of 220 V.”

The standard explicitly does not apply to fluorescent lamps that are clearly not designed for general lighting purposes, including:

a) Fluorescent lamps featuring color or light output predominantly outside the visible spectrum;

b) Fluorescent lamps with custom color combinations and fluorescent lamps with a color rendering index exceeding 90 and color rendition approximated to the Planckian locus;

c) Fluorescent lamps specifically utilized for medical applications;

d) Fluorescent lamps used for distinct, specific purposes other than general lighting purposes and are easily differentiated from those intended for general lighting purposes.”

4. What are the crucial technical requirements that must be met for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps when undergoing Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam?

According to TCVN 8249:2013 – Section 4: Technical Requirements, the following are mandated:

Safety and Conformance Requirements

Fluorescent lamps are required to satisfy the safety requirements detailed in TCVN 5175 (IEC 61195). However, for the specific objectives of this standard, testing the following indicators is not necessary:

– Construction and assembly requirements for lamps following heat treatment for a period of (2,000 ± 50) hours as stipulated in Section 2.3.1.1 and Section 2.3.1.3 of TCVN 5175 (IEC 61195).

– Requirements on lamp cap temperature rise as specified in Section 2.9 of TCVN 5175 (IEC 61195).

Operational Performance Requirements

– Lamp Cap: The dimensional specifications of the lamp cap on the finished fluorescent lamp must conform to the provisions in TCVN 7670 (IEC 60081).

– Lamp Dimensions: The physical dimensions of the fluorescent lamp must adhere to the values explicitly defined in the corresponding lamp data sheet.

– Starting Characteristics: The fluorescent lamp must achieve full startup within the timeframe specified on the relevant lamp data sheet and successfully maintain its illumination.

– Electrical Characteristics:

a) The initial voltage measured at the lamp connections must be consistent with the values provided on the relevant lamp data sheet.

b) The initial power consumption of the fluorescent lamp must not surpass the rated power specified in the relevant lamp data sheet by more than 5% + 0.5 W.

– Luminous Characteristics:

a) The initial luminous flux output by the fluorescent lamp must be at least 92% of its rated value.

b) The initial recorded chromaticity coordinates (x and y) of the lamp must be within a 5 SDCM (Standard Deviation of Color Matching) range relative to the rated value.

c) The initial Color Rendering Index (Ra) of the lamp must be greater than or equal to the rated value minus 3.

– Lumen Maintenance Factor: The manufacturer must officially declare the lumen maintenance factor for the fluorescent lamp. This declared value must not be below 80% of the initial luminous flux after 2,000 hours of operation.

– Life Span: The manufacturer must officially publish the life span of the fluorescent lamp, and this stated value must be a minimum of 6,000 hours.

– Mercury Content: The maximum allowed mercury content within the linear tubular fluorescent lamp must not exceed 15 mg.

– Energy Efficiency: The energy efficiency of the fluorescent lamp is categorized into two distinct metrics: the minimum efficiency level and the high efficiency level, both of which are regulated in detail in Table 1.

Table 1 – Energy Efficiency of Fluorescent Lamps

Power Range W	Energy Efficiency lm/W
	Color Temperature T_c < 4 400 K		Color Temperature T_c ≥ 4 400 K
	Minimum Level	High Level	Minimum Level	High Level
To 20	55	68	48	62
From 20 to 40	60	78	58	72
From 40 to 65	68	80	60	75

5. What is the required sample quantity for submitting products for Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam?

TCVN 8249:2013 – Section 5.1: Number of test samples, provides precise requirements for Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam:

“For regulatory compliance in Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam, each fluorescent lamp model requires a minimum of 01 sample to be tested. The submission of more than one sample is permissible at the manufacturer’s request, in which case the average result will be used to demonstrate conformity with this mandatory standard.

A much larger quantity is mandated for life span testing, requiring a minimum of 20 samples for thorough evaluation.”

6. Which Laboratories are officially designated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) to conduct Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam?

Phuc Gia stands as a key entity, designated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) to conduct Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam, as confirmed by Registration Certificate for Energy Efficiency Testing Operations No. 15/GCN-BCT.

To verify the official designation status of any potential Testing Center you plan to use for Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam, you must contact the testing lab to request the specific designation decision from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT). Public verification is also available via the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s official website.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade officially designates Phuc Gia® to perform Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam (See details here).

7. What is the associated Fee for Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam?

The testing fee for Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam will fluctuate based on the pricing policies of individual Testing Laboratories. The official testing cost at Phuc Gia® is fully detailed in the: QUOTATION – Testing and other Certification Services [2025].

8. What is the typical Duration required for Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam?

The turnaround time for Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam depends on the specific service provider.

However, Phuc Gia® (Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation) specializes in offering optimized support for faster timelines. Consequently, Phuc Gia Lab completes the Energy Efficiency Testing for Linear Tubular Fluorescent Lamps in Vietnam in a timeframe of just 05 days/ model.

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