Europe tightens lamp laws
This month sees the formal adoption of a tough new European directive on lighting that will see a gradual phase out of the most energy intensive lamps.
The European Commission has set a series of deadlines up to 2016 starting with a ban from this September on incandescent light bulbs that use over 100 watts of electricity.
The European Commission has set a series of deadlines up to 2016 starting with a ban from this September on incandescent light bulbs that use over 100 watts of electricity.
Bulbs with lower wattage are due to be phased out more gradually and will be replaced by compact fluorescent lamps, which consume up to 75% less energy, and by efficient halogen bulbs, with energy savings of 25-50%, according to data produced by the EC.The Commission added that switching from incandescents will save around 15 million tonnes of carbon annually and cut European electricity bills by €5 billion a year.
The EU directive will also stipulate that the term “energy-saving" may only be applied to products with an 'A' energy rating. In the future, packaging for energy saving products must provide very clear and simple information on wattage, energy level, light colour etc. and make use of pictograms.
Timetable:
1 September 2009 - ban on sales of frosted lamps (apart from Energy Class A) and clear incandescents 80 W or above
1 September 2010 - ban on sales of clear incandescent lamps over 65 W
1 September 2011 - ban on sales of clear incandescent lamps over 45 W
1 September 2012 - ban on sales of clear incandescent lamps over 7 W
1 September 2013 - raising of quality requirements
1 September 2016 - ban on sales of Energy Class C lamps