The EU Directive
The European Union has passed legislation (directive regulation 244/2009) to ban all incandescent and halogen lightbulbs, which are highly inefficient and energy-wasteful, within the next few years. Some have already disappeared from high street shops, and all others will follow by the end of 2012.
By taking this action, the EU expects to reduce the huge annual carbon dioxide emissions of power stations by around 15 million tonnes, and huge savings to be made in power generation costs.
Inefficient, non-clear (opaque, or frosted) lightbulbs were phased out from September 2009, and going forward all bulbs of this type will need to be of a certified low-energy type, Class A.
By the end of 2012, other wattage levels will follow and the bulbs that replace them will also have to have a Class C certification. The EU's most commonly used bulb, the 60W frosted type, will remain available until September 2011 and both 40 and 25W types until September 2012.
By taking this action, the EU expects to reduce the huge annual carbon dioxide emissions of power stations by around 15 million tonnes, and huge savings to be made in power generation costs.
Inefficient, non-clear (opaque, or frosted) lightbulbs were phased out from September 2009, and going forward all bulbs of this type will need to be of a certified low-energy type, Class A.
By the end of 2012, other wattage levels will follow and the bulbs that replace them will also have to have a Class C certification. The EU's most commonly used bulb, the 60W frosted type, will remain available until September 2011 and both 40 and 25W types until September 2012.
