Changes to Part L of the building regulations, including a decision about LENI, will be announced by July, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has told Lighting.
The possible introduction in Part L of the lighting energy numerical indicator benchmark, known as LENI, as an alternative to minimum luminaire lumens per circuit watt, would be a major departure for the government.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for DCLG said: "We are expecting to make an announcement about Part L in June, or July at the latest."
LENI is an index that describes the energy used by a lighting system over the course of a year, measured in kilowatt hours, per square meter, per year.?Lighting's campaign for LENI has echoed calls from industry bodies such as the SLL, IALD, PLDA and LIA to have LENI in Part L, which takes into account consumed energy rather than installed load.
The lighting industry had been expecting the government department to announce Part L changes in April, after positive responses to a public consultation about LENI were published at the end of last year.
Peter Raynham of the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL) told Lighting: "It's good to know they're back on track. We thought there would be an announcement in April. At the end of the year, politicians were talking about having a bonfire of the regulations to help the construction industry. It's a big step forward that they're going to take. I've seen positive responses to the consultation. I don't think a red line will be put through LENI. I think it is being seriously considered."
