"Ban on Incandescent Lamps": Further minimal standards for home lighting
The directives DIM I (244/2009 measures from September 1st 2009, amendment 859/2009) and DIM II (1194/2012, measures from September 1st 2013) set efficiency limit values for certain lamp types which are mainly used for home lighting. When these minimal standards cannot be met they must not carry the CE marking any more and, therefore, will vanish from the market slowly, but there will not be an explicit ban - other than the picture shown in the press.
Lamps from previous production lots with CE-marking - so warehouse stock, too - may be sold off and users may also still operate them just as always. But in most application cases it does make sense to think about energy saving alternatives - not just to save energy effectively, but also from the lighting quality point of view.
Lamp types affected
Lamps with reflector and LED modules which are - in general - used for home lighting:
- GL = Incandescent lamps
- HAL = Halogen lamps
- ESL = Energy saving lamps (compact fluorescent lamps with standard base)
- LED = LED retrofit lamps (for direct exchange with incandescent lamps)
Regulations
For the lamp types mentioned above requirements of efficiency and functionality will be set according to a certain time scheme. Lamps which do not meet those requirements must not carry the CE marking any more and must not be brought to market by the manufacturer.
Any lamp produced previously which has got a CE marking even though it may not literally be entitled to do so, may still be sold off the warehouse stock of retail.
Certain technical data such as, for example, number of switchings until failure or mercury content must be shown on packaging in a defined way and must be shown as free access information e.g. in the internet. There, many more (technical) details have to be published.
Timetable of measures
2013 Mains voltage lamps with reflector from ca. 100W (> 450 lm)
2014 all mains voltage incandescent lamps with reflector
2016 all mains voltage halogen lamps with reflector
low voltage halogen lamps with reflector need to have 4000 h of lamp life
some LED retrofit lamps (If those are still on the market due to their short product cycles.)
