Overview.
Approved Document L sets out how buildings in England meet the energy-efficiency requirements of the Building Regulations. Volume 2 covers buildings other than dwellings, including offices, schools, retail and data centres. For lighting there are two ways to show compliance: a minimum average luminaire efficacy, or the Lighting Energy Numeric Indicator (LENI) method.
Which edition applies?
- 2021 edition (current): in force since 15 June 2022. General lighting must average at least 95 luminaire lumens per circuit-watt, display lighting 80 light source lumens per circuit-watt.
- 2026 edition (published March 2026): comes into force on 24 March 2027 in England (24 September 2027 for higher-risk buildings) and on 4 March 2027 in Wales. General lighting rises to 105 luminaire lumens per circuit-watt and display lighting to 95 light source lumens per circuit-watt. It also adds guidance on external lighting levels and automatic controls for external lighting.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own building standards, so different requirements apply there.
What this means for your project: if your scheme will be submitted after the 2026 edition takes effect, specify to 105 luminaire lm/W now. Most of 299's general lighting ranges already reach 105 lm/W. Where a fitting you have chosen falls below it, we will tell you at quotation stage and suggest a compliant alternative, and we include efficacy figures in every quotation so your Part L calculation is straightforward.
