Local and National Regulations on Light Pollution in Italy

Abstract

The situation in terms of regulation of light pollution in Italy is here presented. The activity, started with the effort of amateur astronomers, lighting engineers and professional astronomers, is split into several actions oriented both to the local and national levels. One of the first goals was an ordinance of the city of Frosinone providing specific guidelines for lighting. The provinces of Valle d'Aosta and Veneto have followed up with local laws. The regional law of Valle d'Aosta includes a safeguard for nocturnal fauna from light pollution. The regional law of Veneto includes protection of the environment, observatories and astronomical sites. To avoid a proliferation of local laws, a national Italian bill was submitted and it is still under discussion. Bill No. 751 has been approved by the general assembly of the Italian Astronomical Society and provides more specific guidelines and standards concerning lighting in order to avoid unnecessary upward illumination and to reduce glare. At the same time a new technical standard, UNI 10819, has been settled after long debate among UNI (Italian National Standards Institute), the Italian Astronomical Society's Light Pollution Committee, lighting engineers and representatives of lighting manufacturers.