NEMA President Evan Gaddis said, “This should help policy makers and the consumer public fully understand the electrical manufacturing community’s determination to be leaders in environmental stewardship while maintaining the highest standards of product safety and performance.”

Effective April 15, 2007, NEMA members will cap the total mercury content in CFLs of less than less than 25 watts at 5 milligrams (mg) per unit. The total mercury content of CFLs that use 25 to 40 watts of electricity will be capped at 6 mg per unit. NEMA is launching a website, www.cfl-mercury.org, where CFL manufacturers conforming to the voluntary commitment on mercury will be listed.

“NEMA’s Call to Action on hazardous substances,” said Gaddis, “puts the organization firmly on record as a champion of reducing and, where possible, eliminating hazardous substances in electrical products.”

Mercury is an essential element in CFLs and allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. NEMA CFL manufacturers will, nonetheless, continue to work to reduce the amount of mercury and other hazardous substances in their products.

NEMA is the trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity. These products are used in utility, medical imaging, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. Domestic production of electrical products sold worldwide exceeds $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing, São Paulo, and Mexico City.

For more information visit NEMA online

SOURCE National Electrical Manufacturers Association