Building Regulations PART L, Volume 2: 2021

The requirements below are from the 2021 edition of Approved Document L, Volume 2, which applies until the 2026 edition comes into force (24 March 2027 in England).

Lighting 6.59 
Any fixed lighting should achieve levels of illumination appropriate to the activity in the space. Spaces should not be over-illuminated. Lighting should be designed based on CIBSE’s SLL Lighting Handbook or an equivalent design guide. 

NOTE: For smaller spaces where total lighting power is likely to be low (toilets, store rooms etc.) there is no expectation that lighting calculations should be produced.

Lighting 6.60
Lighting should observe the following: 

• If it is general lighting, either have an average luminaire efficacy of 95 luminaire lumens per circuit-watt OR the Lighting Energy Numeric Indicator (LENI) method, following Appendix B.

• If it is display lighting, any of the following; have an average light source efficacy of 80 light source lumens per circuit-watt OR have a rated power usage no greater than 0.3W/m2 in each space OR the LENI method, following Appendix B.

• For high excitation purity light sources, an average light source efficacy of 65 light source lumens per circuit-watt. 

NOTE: This approved document does not include minimum standards for specialist lighting, such as theatrical spotlights, stage lighting, gobo projectors or wall-washers. 

Lighting 6.61
General lighting and display lighting should be metered by one of the following methods.

• Dedicated lighting circuits with a kWh meter for each circuit.

• Local power meter coupled to or integrated in the lighting controllers of a lighting management system.

• A lighting management system that can both calculate the consumed energy and make this information available to a building management system.

Lighting Controls 6.62
Lighting controls in new and existing buildings should follow the guidance in the Building Research Establishment’s Digest 498. 

Lighting Controls 6.63
Unoccupied spaces should have automatic controls to turn the general lighting off when the space is not in use (e.g. through presence detection). Occupied spaces should have automatic controls where suitable for the use of the space.

Lighting Controls 6.64
General lighting in occupied spaces should have daylight controls (e.g. photo-switching and dimming) for parts of the space which are likely to receive high levels of natural light. 

Lighting Controls 6.65
Display lighting should be controlled on dedicated circuits that can be switched separately from those for lighting provided for general illuminance.

What changes in the 2026 edition

The figures above are from the 2021 edition, which applies until the 2026 edition comes into force (24 March 2027 in England). The 2026 edition changes the lighting requirements for buildings other than dwellings as follows:

• General lighting: 105 luminaire lumens per circuit-watt (up from 95), assessed across the whole building.
• Display lighting: 95 light source lumens per circuit-watt (up from 80).
• High excitation purity lighting: unchanged at 65 light source lumens per circuit-watt.
• External lighting: lighting levels should suit the activity and follow the SLL Lighting Handbook or equivalent guidance. Automatic controls should switch it off in daylight and when the building is not in use, unless needed for safety or the luminaire uses less than 4 W.
• Controls: occupancy and daylight controls for internal lighting remain required.

Source: Approved Document L, Volume 2 (2026 edition) and the Lighting Industry Association's technical statement LIA TS44 (July 2026).

At 299, our general lighting ranges are designed to meet Part L, and every product comes with a datasheet, installation instructions, photometric (LDT) files and BIM files. When we supply your fittings we include efficacy figures and, where needed, lighting calculations, so you can show compliance with either the 2021 or 2026 edition. Browse our commercial lighting range or send us your drawings for a quote.