Kingfisher Green Star Lighting User Guide
- June 10, 2024
- KingFisher
Table of Contents
Kingfisher Green Star Lighting
Introduction
What it means to choose a green star product Products marked with the green star are designed to help customers identify items within our ranges with a focus on reducing environmental impacts. Customers can use the information provided to filter and understand more about the products they’re interested in or have purchased.
Why Choosing Efficient Lighting At Home Matters
How we light our homes has changed considerably over the last 20 years.
Technology has allowed us to move from incandescent lamps (that only convert
about 5% of the energy they use to
light) to halogens,
compact fluorescent lighting and then onto LEDs (light emitting diodes), the
most efficient lighting type available to households today.
When lighting energy ratings were first introduced, we were able to purchase
halogen, fluorescent and incandescent lighting, as well as energy-efficient
LED types. LEDs were rated from A+ to A+++, reflecting the light’s efficiency
compared to other lighting types.
In 2021, the energy ratings were rescaled by the EU and UK as LED become the
most prevalent lighting type. The new energy label gives a rating from A to
G,
based on the luminous flux (lumens) emitted per watt of light. LED bulbs that
were once rated as A+, may now be rated as G.
Many homes still use halogen, compact fluoroscent or fluorescent and are yet
to transfer to LED types. The EU estimates that continuing to move to more
energy efficient lighting will prevent around seven million tonnes of CO2
being emitted every year.
When replacing lighting, it’s important that you dispose of the old bulb
correctly. Some bulbs can be recycled at household waste recycling centres or
retailers, such as B&Q.
Criteria 1: How We Assess Green Star Products
Before assessment, every green star product must meet:
- All relevant legal requirements
- All Kingfisher policy requirements
You can access the Kingfisher policies here. These include Human
Rights, Supply Chain Workplace Standards and Sustainable Packaging.
Products are also checked against a Watch List. The watch list contains
several criteria or features, relevant to the product type, that if present
disqualify the product from being marked with a green star. The relevant Watch
List can be found at the end of this factsheet. The Watch List is reviewed and
revised annually.
Life cycle assessments have not been completed for every green star product,
but by employing policies and the Watch List Criteria in Kingfisher’s
Sustainable Home Product Guidelines, many factors in the life cycle of a
product are considered.
The green star ‘kitchen appliances’ assessment focuses on the in-use phase of
the product’s life cycle. This is where the product can bring the biggest
benefit to the user across its utilisation, however green star excludes
products that may have other environmental aspects that are harmful either as
a result of manufacture or end of life disposal.
The green star ‘Lighting homes’ assessment focuses on the in-use phase of the
product’s life cycle. This is where the product can bring the biggest benefit
to the user across its utilisation, however green star excludes products that
may have other environmental aspects that are harmful either as a result of
manufacture or end of life disposal.
Criteria 2: Green Star Programme Entry
The criteria for lighting homes is:
Luminaires (including light bulbs, lamps, battens and light fittings supplied with integrated LED lighting):
- LED with an energy label D rating or higher, based on the rescaled ratings (A to G) launched in 2021.
Solar lighting and other battery-operated lighting:
These lights do not have an Energy Rating as ratings are only required for mains powered lighting:
- LED battery powered outdoor lights (including solar powered and rechargeable lights) if supplied with a motion sensor or photo sensor.
- Rechargeable LED battery operated torches and work lights.
Providing Criteria 1 and 2 have been met, a product can marked with the green star.
Reviewing and confirming green star status
✓ All products nominated and that meet criteria 1 and 2 are assessed
internally by our sustainability team and submitted to NGO Bioregional for
external validation.
✓ Once the external review is conducted, the product can then be
confirmed and marked with the green star.
✓ A full review is conducted annually to ensure all products continue to
meet the selection criteria.
To find out more about NGO Bioregional, click here
Watch List Criteria relevant to lighting at home
This list includes features or aspects of products that make them unsuitable to be marked with the green star:
✖ Non-LED lighting, for example halogen and fluorescent lights
✖ Products supplied with single-use batteries
✖ Products containing palm oil, cotton, rubber or leather with no evidence
that the materials have been responsibly sourced
✖ Recycled plastic products where the source of the plastic is unknown and/or
cannot be confirmed as being safe
✖ Products containing any wood or paper that does not meet Kingfisher’s Forest
Positive Policy
✖ Products linked to animal cruelty, including:
- Products that contain feathers or down unless responsibly sourced (certified recycled or certified by the Responsible Down Standard/ Downpass/Global Traceable Down Standard).
✖ Products where the packaging contains PVC or expanded polystyrene.
✖ Products or components of products with chrome VI plating.
References
- Guide to energy efficient lighting - Energy Saving Trust
- Sustainability Consultancy – Home – Bioregional