As of August 31, 2010, “it is now a crime to manufacture or ship for sale a traditional 75-watt incandescent light bulb in the European Union.” By 2012, incandescent lighting of all types will be targeted for removal; this is the same year the United States is scheduled to begin a phase-out schedule mirroring the European plan.
The EU plan looks as such:
- 2009 – 100-watt bulbs banned
- 2010 – 75-watt bulbs banned
- 2011 – 60-watt bulbs banned
- 2012 – 40-watt bulbs banned
The goal of the incandescent bulb ban plan is to phase-out the least efficient bulbs, with expected hopes for an increase in the purchase of CFLs. To date, it seems this plan has backfired as EU citizens are rushing to purchase the last remaining incandescent bulbs off the shelves. Consumers are gathering a hoarded supply of bulbs to last them decades. The low cost of the incandescent bulb and the fear of mercury-filled fluorescent is driving this buying panic.
It seems imminent that EU history will repeat itself in the US as our own January 1, 2012 deadline approaches; all part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 signed during President George W. Bush’s terms in office. (source)
