Light Bulbs
As of 1st September 2009 manufacturers are no longer permitted to place on the market clear 100W incandescent light bulbs. Retailers are still legally permitted to sell through their existing stocks of these bulbs and any other incandescent bulbs.
However ACS supports the national voluntary agreement between retailers and Government and therefore encourages members that have not already done so to cease selling 75-150w A- shaped incandescent bulbs.
Voluntary Agreement
The Voluntary Agreement between retailers and the UK Government seeks to phase out incandescent light bulbs as follows:
- Retailers encouraged to stop selling 75-150W incandescent light bulbs
- 1st January 2010 - retailers encouraged to stop selling 60W A shaped incandescent bulbs.
- 1st January 2011 – retailers encouraged to stop selling 40 W A-shaped and 60 W golf ball/candle shaped bulbs
EU Laws
The EU Commission will continue its action to phase out incandescent light bulbs and is working to the following timetable:
- 1 September 2009 –manufacturers will not be able to place on the market clear lamps equivalent to 100W incandescent lamps, or above, must be minimum C class energy rating (leaving only halogen retrofit halogen lamps). Non-clear (frosted/ pearl) lamps must be minimum Energy Label A-class.
- 1 September 2010 - manufacturers will not be able to place on the market 75W clear incandescent lamps.
- 1 September 2011 - manufacturers will not be able to place on the market 60 W clear incandescent lamps.
- 1 September 2012 - manufacturers will not be able to place on the market all remaining clear incandescent lamps (i.e. 40W and 25W).
- 1 September 2016 - Raising the minimum level to B class for clear retrofit lamps (i.e. phasing out C-class retrofit halogen lamps).
For information from DEFRA on the environmental benefits and reasons for phasing out light bulbs visit: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/products/roadmaps/lightbulbs.htm