Incandescent Light Bulb Ban Gathers Pace

There have been fresh developments in the EU Commission's plan to completely phase out inefficient lighting in theIncandescent Bulb Ban. The ban of 100W, 60W and 40W incandescent bulbs took place between 2009 and 2012, however a loophole in the regulations meant that manufacturers could still develop and sell incandescent bulbs listed as 'rough service'. Rough service being a term used for bulbs that are specially developed to withstand the rigours of industrial surroundings. Now a new EU regulation has finally closed the loophole that means rough service, high and low temperature and squirrel cage incandescent bulbs are banned. There are some expulsions from the rule, including special-purpose bulbs such as oven and refrigerator bulbs, infrared heat lamps and decorative incandescent bulbs with tinted glass. The regulation will come into effect from the 24th February 2016. One of the positives for the consumer drawn from the incandescent ban is that the price of LEDs have been falling in recent times to offer an affordable energy-efficient alternative to incandescent and halogen lamps.