6 February 2015: A regional lites.asia workshop on lighting policy, convened by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), considered opportunities for ensuring adequate market surveillance and harmonized policy for efficient lighting in Asia and the Pacific. More than 70 stakeholder representatives participated in the meeting, which identified policy options for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the broader region.

During the two-day workshop, held from 3-4 February 2015, in Bangkok, Thailand, participants heard updates on previous lites.asia meetings and other relevant events, and presentations on, inter alia: perspectives for regional harmonization of efficient lighting standards; industry perspectives on the need for compliance; funding prospects for transitioning to efficient lighting; and the role of monitoring, verification and enforcement (MVE) systems in efficient lighting programmes, and their harmonization in Asia.

Given that lighting accounts for 15% of electricity consumption in Asia, and since ASEAN leaders have committed to developing a single market for goods and services by 2015, workshop participants agreed that this year presents a unique opportunity for accelerating deployment of efficient lighting technologies, harmonizing regional lighting standards, improving consumer confidence and fostering regional trade of high-quality lighting products.

The meeting also heard proposals on how to ensure compliance with lighting standards for safety, efficiency and quality. Countries participating in the workshop requested that UNEP gather the conclusions and options identified, and present them to ASEAN authorities to facilitate discussions on regional lighting policy harmonization within the ASEAN countries and coordination with other Asian countries.

Established in 2009 by the Governments of Australia and the US, lites.asia is a network of over 600 participants from 20 countries, including regulators, policy makers, industry representatives and experts, that focuses on information exchange and discussion on efficient lighting policy and regulation, and supports the development of national initiatives, regional cooperation and harmonization among Asian countries in this area. lites.asia works through meetings, webinars and the sharing of technical resources and reports. [UNEP Press Release] [UNEP Workshop Communiqué] [UNEP Meeting Webpage] [lites.asia Website]