Chile Takes Strong Outdoor Lighting Stance

Chile's Ministry of the Environment (MMA) is revising its Supreme Decree DS043 to expand sky protection efforts beyond the northern regions of Chile, addressing light pollution on a national level.

The revised standard will introduce Special Protection Zones, covering astronomical areas, biodiversity protection areas, and species reproduction zones. Key updates include stricter limits on blue light emissions in outdoor lighting, aiming to reduce the environmental impact and safeguard public health. Specific requirements target the reduction of blue light to 7% nationally and 1% in Special Protection Zones, while new compliance timelines have also been established for new and existing lighting sources.

Source: Oficina de Protección de la Calidad del Cielo del Norte de Chile

The revised lighting criteria aim to mitigate the growing problem of light pollution, which threatens both the quality of Chile's night skies and local ecosystems. Special attention will be given to sports venues, which will now be subject to different blue light limits depending on their classification, and illuminated signs, which must now turn off by midnight. Full compliance will be enforced two years after the decree's entry into force, with extended timelines for existing sources in biodiversity and astronomical protection areas.