The incandescent lamp is disappearing. Since 1 September 2012 incandescent lamps may no longer be put on the market. There are only few exceptions. Because the now 130 year old lamp simply consumes too much energy. But there is no need to fear that homes will be plunged into darkness. There are plenty of alternatives which, with E27 or E14 base, fit virtually any luminaire. So replacing incandescent lamps with the alternatives is child's play.

However, all of us in future will have to decide more consciously in favour of one type of lamp or another: incandescent lamps can be replaced by halogen lamps, energy-saving lamps or LED lamps. The most important selection criterion is light colour – warm white, neutral white or daylight white.

The incandescent lamp will be phased out in four stages through to 2012. This licht.de Special describes the rules by which that will happen, indicates the selection criteria for alternative lamps and answers important questions about the phase-out.