Countries across the EU will start phasing out the use of traditional carbon-emitting lightbulbs from September 1. The decision to cut wasted energy and high electricity bills was agreed by EU member states last December with the support of the UK.
The Eco Design of Energy-using Products Directive passed in that month restrict the manufacture and import of frosted incandescent light bulbs over the next three years before imposing a full ban in 2012.
A voluntary initiative to phase out old fashioned bulbs started in 2007 with the keen support of a number of UK energy suppliers and retailers. As part of this, retailers in the UK have started removing 150W and 100W bulbs and plan to remove all old-fashioned bulbs by 2011.
UK environment minister Dan Norris said: “We can no longer rely on light bulbs which waste 95 per cent of their energy as heat. We are glad the EU has put this measure in place to stop the waste of energy and money from old fashioned high energy bulbs. The UK has had a successful voluntary initiative in place for a few years, and now the rest of the EU will follow suit on a mandatory basis."
“This is great news for people who will pay less in electricity and even better news for the planet, as this will amount to 1 million tonnes of saved CO2 per year by 2020.”
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