The EU Delay Proposed Ban On Halogens

The European Commission have controversially buckled under pressure to put the ban on halogen bulbs back to 2018. This is a first for the EU as they have never before postponed a product efficiency measure. The consequence is that for a further two years millions of people could be using inefficient lighting, thus spending millions extra on energy bills and causing millions more CO₂emissions than needed. The Eco campaign group Cool Products have said that this deferral will cost European consumers €6.6bn / £4.8bn in potential energy savings. The original ban was due to take place in September 2016 after being agreed in 2009. Its aim was to take away non eco-friendly products from the market to protect the environment and customer’s pockets. A similar ban was introduced outlawing the production of incandescent bulbs. The reasoning behind the delay is speculation that the LED market at present couldn’t cope with the increase in demand following a 2016 halogen ban. It was also stated that LEDs need to mirror the function and features that halogen users are familiar with. There are already LED bulbs and spotlights in the market with prices and features that weren't expected for many years to come. Certain areas of the lighting industry dispute this, and it was them who put pressure on for the ban to be extended to 2020, which was rejected. For more information on why LEDs are a better alternative to Halogens see here