Symbols on bulbs and boxes: CE, dimmable and disposal marks

The small marks on a lamp box carry information that matters for choosing and using a bulb. What CE, the crossed-out bin, the dimmer symbol and other marks actually mean.

The back of a lamp box is usually crowded with tiny pictograms and abbreviations. Most people ignore them, yet some of these marks tell you where the bulb can be used, and others tell you what to do with it once it has failed. Here are the most common ones, grouped by purpose.

Conformity marks: CE and EAC

The CE mark states that the product meets the European Union requirements that apply to it, such as electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility and restrictions on hazardous substances. One nuance is worth knowing: in most cases CE is a declaration of conformity made by the manufacturer itself, not a quality certificate from an independent laboratory. It does not say "this product is excellent"; it says "this product was placed on the market meeting the required minimum rules".

The shape of the letters matters too. In the official CE mark, the "C" and "E" are drawn on circular arcs with a set gap between them. Treat look-alike marks with letters squeezed close together with caution.

The EAC mark shows conformity with the technical regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union and appears on products intended for that market.

Disposal marks

A crossed-out wheelie bin means that electrical and electronic equipment must not be thrown away with ordinary household waste. An LED bulb contains a driver board, metals and plastics that need to be collected and processed separately. You will find this symbol on LED bulbs, drivers and light fittings.

An "Hg" symbol or a specific note indicates that the lamp contains mercury. This applies to fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent (energy-saving) lamps. Such lamps should not be broken and should go to a dedicated collection point.

The packaging may also carry recycling arrows and codes for the type of cardboard or plastic; these refer to the box, not the bulb.

Symbols about conditions of use

This group carries the most practical information:

• Dimmable symbol. Usually a stylised dimmer control or the word "dimmable". If it is crossed out, the bulb is not designed for dimmers; putting it on a dimmer circuit can cause flicker, buzzing and driver damage.
• Enclosed fitting symbol. If a bulb inside a closed shade is shown crossed out, the bulb should not be used in an enclosed fitting without airflow, because the driver will overheat.
• Temperature range. The ambient temperatures the bulb can work in, which matters in a cold storeroom or a hot kitchen.
• IP code. The degree of protection against dust and water. IP20 is for dry rooms; higher digits mean more protection.
• There may also be separate pictograms for outdoor use or damp locations.

On light fittings you may also see two nested squares (Class II insulation, no earth connection needed) and the earth symbol. These refer to the electrical safety class of the fitting, not the bulb.

Numbers and abbreviations

Besides symbols, the box lists technical data:

• W — electrical power, in other words consumption;
• lm — luminous flux, the actual light output;
• K — colour temperature: a low number is warm and yellowish, a high number is cool and bluish;
• Ra or CRI — colour rendering index; the closer to 100, the more natural colours look;
• beam angle in degrees, which matters especially for spot lamps;
• V and Hz — rated voltage and frequency;
• cap code: E27, E14, GU10, G5.3 and so on.

Since September 2021, lamps sold on the European market must carry an energy label on a rescaled A to G scale with a QR code that links to the product's entry in the official database.

The box may also state a rated life in hours and a number of switching cycles. These are average figures obtained under standard test conditions; in real use, how long a bulb lasts varies with the heat in the fitting, the mains voltage and how often it is switched.

Quick reference card

• CE / EAC — a declaration of conformity, not a quality award;
• crossed-out bin — not for ordinary rubbish;
• Hg — contains mercury, handle with care and use a collection point;
• crossed-out dimmer — do not connect to a dimmer;
• crossed-out enclosed shade — do not use in a closed fitting;
• lm and K — the key figures for brightness and shade.

When choosing Zəfər İşığı bulbs, it is equally useful to read the cap, wattage and light colour details on the box; the Zaferoğlu Elektrik catalogue groups its products by cap type.