Timetable and overviews for the phase out of lamps

Many conventional lamps will no longer be placed on the market because they consume too much energy. This is based on the 2019/2020/EU and 2019/2015/EU regulations. Since 1st September 2023, most types of halogen lamps that are currently still permitted will be discontinued.
For fluorescent lamps, the regulation on the restriction of mercury will also apply – more precisely, the EU Directive on the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic Equipment (RoHS). As of February 25, 2023, it initially affected compact fluorescent lamps without ballasts. Since August 25, 2023, T8 and T5 lamps have also been banned.

Which lamps are affected?

25th February 2023 according to RoHS

  • Compact fluorescent lamps (without integrated ballast)
  • Circular fluorescent lamps T5

25th August 2023 according to RoHS

  • Linear fluorescent lamps T8
  • Linear fluorescent lamps T5

1st September 2023 according to Ecodesign Regulation

  • High-voltage halogen lamps (G9)
  • Low-voltage halogen lamps (G4 and GY6.35)

Timetable

 

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Exceptions and special cases – which lamps remain?

  • High-voltage halogen lamps linear (R7s ≤ 2,700 lm)

Numerous special lamps and light sources for special applications are only partially affected or not affected at all. These include light sources for emergency and signal lighting and electronic displays, coloured lamps, plant and insect lamps, stage and studio lighting and light sources for ovens.

Important exceptions are:

  • Lamps below 60 lm or above 82,000 lm
  • Narrow beam light sources (< 10 degrees)
  • Infrared light sources (except R7s in existing lengths)
  • UV lamps (> 2mW/klm)
  • Special applications e.g. for ovens (300 degrees) or signalling
     

High pressure discharge lamps

High pressure discharge lamps are either high pressure mercury vapour lamps, halogen metal halide lamps or high pressure sodium vapour lamps.

  • High pressure mercury vapour lamps have not been used indoors for many years due to their low colour rendering (colour rendering index ≤ 70). Since 2015, their marketing has no longer been permitted in Europe (see table below).  
  • They have been almost completely replaced by more powerful halogen metal halide lamps. These are mainly used for hall lighting, outdoor lighting and street lighting. Stricter minimum values in terms of energy efficiency and service life have applied since 13 April 2017. Ballasts for discharge lamps were also given higher efficiency limits.
  • High pressure sodium lamps are characterised by a very high luminous efficacy. They are mostly used in outdoor lighting and in high halls where their low colour rendering can be tolerated. According to RoHS, some wattages will no longer be placed on the market from 24 February 2023 if they exceed a certain mercury content. These include the wattages of 250 and 400 W.
     

Review of the phase out models

Lamps that are already affected by the phase out will no longer be placed on the market in Europe since the respective cut-off date. Nevertheless, stocks continue to be sold and lamps already purchased may also be used.
 

Key date

Lamp

 

01/09/2009

Incandescent lamps > 75 W
Halogen lamps > 60 W

Incandescent lamp

01/09/2010

Incandescent lamps > 60 W
Halogen lamps > 40 W

Incandescent lamp

01/09/2011

Incandescent lamps > 25 W

Incandescent lamp

01/09/2012

Incandescent lamps ≤ 25 W

Incandescent lamp

01/04/2015

High-pressure mercury vapour lamps (HQL)
Low-pressure sodium vapour lamps
Compact fluorescent lamps with conventional/electric ballast < 80 lm/W

 

01/09/2016

High-voltage spotlights 230 V
Low-voltage halogen spotlights
> efficiency class B

Low-voltage halogen spotlights

01/09/2018

High-voltage halogen lamps
Low-voltage halogen lamps
> efficiency class B

High-voltage halogen lamp

01/09/2021

Fluorescent lamps T2

Fluorescent lamp

01/09/2021

Fluorescent lamps T12

Fluorescent lamp

01/09/2021

Compact fluorescent lamps with integrated ballast (E14, E27 etc.)

01/09/2021

High-voltage halogen lamps linear
(R7s > 2,700 lm = ca. 140 W)
High-voltage halogen lamp linear R7s

01/09/2021

Low-voltage halogen lamps
(with reflector/GU4, GU5,3 etc.)
25/02/2023 Compact fluorescent lamps (without integrated ballast)
25/02/2023 Circular fluorescent lamps T5
25/08/2023 Linear fluorescent lamps T5
25/08/2023 Linear fluorescent lamps T8

 

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