The Malta Standards Authority advises that inefficient non-directional lamps (i.e. primarily incandescent bulbs and certain conventional halogen bulbs) will be phased out gradually from the EU market starting in September 2009 and finishing in September 2012, by virtue of Commission Regulation (EC) No 244/2009 that implements the Directive on the Ecodesign of Energy-using Products (2005/32/EC). These regulations do not apply to lamps that emit coloured light as defined in the regulation.

Inefficient non-clear (i.e frosted and other non-transparent) lamps will start to be phased out as from 1st September 2009. Non-clear lamps will be required to be A-class according to the EU lamp energy label (or slightly less efficient for certain lamps such as those with external envelope). In practice, considering currently available technologies, this means that non-clear lamps will be compact fluorescent lamps which save about 80% energy compared to incandescent lamps, or LEDs lamps. Consumers who for various reasons (aesthetics, size, shape etc.) would prefer another lamp technology can buy clear (transparent) lamps.

Inefficient clear (transparent) lamps will be phased out progressively, starting with the highest wattage (100W incandescent bulbs and above) as from 1st September 2009. Hence, importers and/or retailers shall ensure that these lamps are not placed on the market after this date. Stocks of incandescent lamps of 100W and above will be allowed to be sold until they run out but no imports may be made after the said date.

Hence from 1st September 2009, lamps equivalent in light output to 100W transparent incandescent bulbs and above will have to be at least class C (improved halogens instead of incandescent bulbs). This will be followed by the phasing out of inefficient lamps of other wattages – the most commonly used bulbs, the 60W will remain available until September 2011 and 40 and 25W bulbs until September 2012.

The Malta Standards Authority also notifies that all lamps rated above 50V shall be duly certified and carry the CE mark.

More information on the phasing out plan can be obtained by visiting MSA site at www.msa.org.mt

Permalink: Incandescent bulbs to be phased out