New EU directive: Say goodbye to the light bulb

The European Commission has decided to prohibit the sale of particularly energy-intensive lamps for household use in a series of stages up to 2016. This is good news, not only for the environment, but also for the consumer: energy-saving lamps save money, energy and CO2. Indeed, even today, you have a broad range of OSRAM energy-saving lamps to choose from. So that you know exactly what to expect – here are the most important changes at a glance:

Products due to be prohibited over the long term
Stage Date The following lamps may no longer be put in circulation
1 1 September 2009 Frosted lamps (apart from Energy Class A)
as well as clear incandescent lamps of 80 W or above
2 1 September 2010 clear incandescent lamps over 65 W
3 1 September 2011 clear incandescent lamps over 45 W
4 1 September 2012 clear incandescent lamps over 7 W
5 1 September 2013 raising of quality requirements
6 1 September 2016 lamps with Energy Class C

 

Incidentally, spotlamps will not be regulated until a second directive is drawn up at the end of 2009. This will then have to be implemented as of September 2010.

Changes on product names and packaging

In addition the EU directive provides that the term “energy-saving" may only be applied to products with the Energy Level A. In the future, packaging for energy-saving products is to provide information very simply on wattage, energy level, light colour etc. with the help of pictograms. The new directive will also lay down new minimum quality requirements for lamps – to the benefit of the consumer.

The consequences oft he EU directive for the consumer

The new EU directive does not mean that incandescent lamps may no longer be used in the household. It solely regulates retail sales. Anyone still using incandescent lamps at home is not obliged to replace them from 1 September 2009 – even if this would be worthwhile. Energy-efficient products are indeed initially more expensive to buy; however in most cases they already pay off after about a year, due to the substantially lower energy costs.

The consequences oft he EU directive for the consumer

The new EU directive does not mean that incandescent lamps may no longer be used in the household. It solely regulates retail sales. Anyone still using incandescent lamps at home is not obliged to replace them from 1 September 2009 – even if this would be worthwhile. Energy-efficient products are indeed initially more expensive to buy; however in most cases they already pay off after about a year, due to the substantially lower energy costs.

 

Wattage of your traditional
incandescent lamp		 Wattage of your new
halogen lamp		 Wattage of your new compact
fluorescent lamp
25 W 18 W 5 W
35 W/40 W 28 W 7 W
60 W 42 W 11 W
75 W 52 W 15 W
100 W 70 W 20 W
150 W 105 W 30 W

 

Important tips for buying a lamp

Good to know: energy-saving lamps are available in various light colours. The halogen lamps produce 1-to-1 the same light as you are familiar with from your incandescent lamp. Due to the way they function, the modern energy-saving lamps, namely the compact fluorescent lamps, emit a slightly different light than the incandescent lamp does. Therefore when you are buying the lamp, be sure to look out for the message "Light colour: warm white".