The EU’s proposed Eco-Design Working Plan 2016 – 2019 will require all stage lighting to meet efficiency targets in line with domestic and office lighting, from the latest LED lighting fixtures to specialist tungsten bulbs that make up the majority of theatre lighting rigs. Until now, there have been three sets of lighting regulations for lighting products, but the proposed changes would streamline them into one regulation with no exceptions, taking effect from 2020.
PLASA placed a response with the EU Commission on January 26 and the deadline was extended to May 7. The organization has urged key manufacturers in the industry to join forces to present a strong argument against the new proposals.
The changes would affect all types of manufacturers, even those who solely produce LED lighting. Josef Valchar, CEO of Robe Lighting, said, “Every manufacturer, rental company, venue, lighting designer, technician, and other individual or organization involved in any aspect of entertainment lighting or in producing events and performances should have a vested interest in opening a sensible and measured discussion about how it affects stage luminaires producing less than 85 lumens per watt.”
GLP managing director Udo Kuenzler added, “If this becomes law it could mean extinction for theatres, concert venues, and other sections of the performing arts since no tungsten fixtures and many LED-based entertainment fixtures don’t appear to meet these requirements.”
Writing in the UK entertainment industry newspaper The Stage, the award-winning lighting designer Paule Constable wrote, “The industry is sleepwalking into accepting this EU legislation — which has nothing to do with Brexit, by the way — and the result, if enforced as currently envisioned, will mean that shows such as The Phantom of the Opera and The Book of Mormon, The Lion King, and Hamilton will ultimately either have to close, or be presented in a hugely compromised manner.”
“What does ‘compromised’ mean in this context? Maybe not quite the feel of the lighting in an office or a warehouse, but pretty close. The subtlety, detail, life, vibrancy, and precise control would be gone. Those watching who had not previously understood the importance of the lighting designer and their team of technicians would understand it pretty quickly.”
Other key industry figures, including Richard Pilbrow and Rob Halliday, have spoken out on the issue.
The UK-based Association of Lighting Designers launched the #Save Stage Lighting campaign. Johanna Town, chair of ALD, said, “The proposed regulations are deeply alarming and are clearly written for domestic and industrial lighting. The reduction of energy consumption is, of course, a goal we all share, but the proposal shows no understanding of the tools we use in lighting design. Should this proposal go ahead as written, and unchecked, the effect on show lighting in Europe, as well as the UK, will be truly devastating.”
Karl G. Ruling, technical standards manager of ESTA commented, “The issue is important to Americans because there would be no entertainment lighting in Europe — full stop — if this proposal goes through. That would seriously harm the performing arts and the entertainment industry globally. We could have spectacular shows here in North America, but nothing would be exportable to Europe, and nothing would come to us from there to feed our industry and stoke our creative fires.”
Please go to www.ald.org.uk/resources/savestagelighting (and click on the link leading to the petition. The more names gathered, the more powerful the argument to be made. Act now, as May 7 may prove to be crucial.
