Questions & Answers on the EU decision to phase out Incandescent and less efficiant energy bulbs
This decision affects all traditional incandescent lamps and some halogens of low energy efficiency used in general lighting applications. Some special lamps are exempted from the decision.
2. When will they be banned?
Incandescent lamps will be restricted in Europe by 2012 and low efficiency halogen lamps by 2016.
In details, clear lamps will be phased out as follows:
Stage Date Phasing-out Replacements
1 01. Sept. 2009 All clear lamps >950lm (~80W GLS)
All clear lamps <950lm of energy class
F&G
Energy Class C
2 01. Sept. 2010 All clear lamps >725lm (~65W GLS) Energy Class C
3 01. Sept. 2011 All clear lamps >450lm (~45W GLS) Energy Class C
4 01. Sept. 2012 All clear lamps >60lm (~7W GLS) Energy Class C
5 01. Sept. 2013 Increased quality requirement
Energy Class C
6 01. Sept. 2016 All clear lamps >60lm Energy Class B
Non clear (frosted) lamps will be phased out as follows:
3. How much C0
reduction does the phase-out represent?
Stage Date Phasing-out Replacements
1 01. Sept. 2009 All non clear (frosted) lamps Energy Class A
The switch will reduce energy consumption for domestic lighting by 30% in Europe and fight climate change by preventing the release of 23 million tons of CO2 emissions per year
4. Will there be enough energy efficient lamps for whole Europe or will they have to be imported?
The phase-out of incandescent lamps is indeed a massive change for the market, but the European lamp industry will have time to adapt in order to support consumers adequately and to maintain the current high quality standards in production.
5. Currently, energy efficient lamps are much more expensive than the traditional light bulbs. Will their price go down/up by the phase out date?
The price of lamps should not change dramatically. The phase-out timing will allow the European industry to ensure proper supply to the market, keeping the price of CFLs stable.
6. Will energy efficient lamps be developed to replace all the ranges of lamps banned?
To a large extend, yes. The phase out timing means that industry will have time to invest in research and development to develop a wider range of CFLs, low energyhalogens and new generation lamps that could fit most luminaire models.
7. Energy efficient lamps give a rather cold light and they take a long time to switch on completely. Is there more choice in terms of colour/luminosity when buying energy efficient lamps?
Yes, of course. The new energy saving lamps are available in soft light tones and in abroad range of colour temperature. They can also be switched on much faster than their predecessors. Lamp manufacturers are developing an ever wider range of products to cover all consumers’ needs
8. What about people sensitive to fluorescent light?
A small number of people affected by skin diseases or lupus are sensitive to fluorescent light and will be able to use other lamps such as halogens/LEDs.
9. How do we need to dispose off energy efficient light bulb?
Energy saving fluorescent lamps can now be recycled free of charge to the consumer. They should not be thrown away in domestic bins but disposed of at the local recycling point or retailer. This will ensure that the materials in the lamp will not go into the environment, but will be recycled to make new products.
10. Will we end up with huge quantities of mercury polluting the environment?
Over the past decade, lamp manufacturers have developed innovative ways to increase lamp performance while minimising the use of mercury. Therefore, energy saving
fluorescent lamps contain only very small amounts of mercury (5mg or less) to ensurean optimal and lasting energy efficiency, but this has no impact on consumers in normal use. Under the European Union’s WEEE Directive, the European lighting industry has set up a Europe-wide recycling infrastructure, which aims to achieve an 80% recycling rate for energy saving fluorescent lamps. Consequently, lamps can be brought back to the shop where they were bought, or deposited in local waste facilities for recycling. Additionally, consumers should be aware that incandescent lamps are responsible for mercury pollution as well – if the electricity used to power them is generated from coal, as those power plants emit mercury in their exhaust. In fact, in such cases, the additional electricity that must be produced to power inefficient incandescent lamps is responsible for more mercury released into the atmosphere than is contained in the CFL.
11. Recycling is not working for CFLs. What do you plan to do to ensure all lamps are recycled in the years to come?
Under the European Union’s WEEE Directive
IV. Impact on European lamp industry
12. What is the European lamp industry reaction on the Commission decision?
We welcome the draft EU decision aiming at restricting incandescent lamps in Europe by 2012 and low efficiency halogen lamps by 2016. This decision takes into account the massive switch which is needed, given the huge installed base of incandescent light bulbs in Europe, ensuring a steady and sufficient supply of good quality energy savers, while providing consumers a choice of options to meet their specific requirements. Also, the proposal allows for an acceptable transition in reducing the factory footprint in a responsible way, while keeping its competitiveness in Europe and globally.
13. What is the impact of the decision on European manufacturing plants? How will European lamp companies be able to cope with the massive change? Will they invest in production capacity for energy savers?
Our industry is investing significantly in innovation and the further development of its production capacity. The agreed phase-out timeline gives enough time for restructuring about 14 factories and ensuring industry competitiveness. Our restructuring costs will reach approximately 300 million Euros.
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (2002/96/EC) aims to minimise the impact of electrical and electronic goods on the environment. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (2002/96/EC) aims to minimise the impact of electrical and electronic goods on the environment.
14. What will happen with the facilities producing incandescent and less energy efficient products? Will these locations switch to energy efficient light bulbs?
To a major extend, yes. The agreed phase-out timeline gives enough time to adapt production lines to more efficient lamp types and to smooth the effects on our workforces.
15. What are the financial implications?
Our restructuring costs will reach approximately 300 million Euros (about 14 factories involved). We will also invest in research and development to develop a wider range of CFLs, halogens and new generation lamps that will fit most luminaire models while remaining low energy consumption.
16. Will there be any job losses?
The agreed phase-out timeline gives enough time to adapt production lines to more efficient lamp types and to smooth the effects on our workforces. We are committed to manage this process carefully and aim to minimize the impact on the workforce by retraining among other things.
17. What will you do to inform retailers & consumers of these changes?
We are in dialogue with retailers and media to inform the EU’s 500 million citizens about the recent EU decision and seek a progressive switch in their homes by 2012. The authorities will also run their own communication effort to inform citizens of the new rules.
18. What do you think about all the new requirements to be placed on the packaging of your products?
We support clear information to consumers as this will allow making an informed choice in terms of lamp use and energy saving potential. Due to the amount of information to be displayed on the new lamp package, the industry needs some time to develop harmonized and clear pictograms for the whole EU market. We welcome the fact that the European Commission granted our request for an additional year (up to September 2010)
, the European lighting industry has set up over the last few years a Europe-wide recycling infrastructure, which aims to achieve an 80% recycling rate for energy saving fluorescent lamps. These lamps are typically used for 10 years and we are confident that the recycling system will be fully operational by the time these get at the end of their life.
|
