Stage 2 of light bulbs phase-out: Good for consumers, but more efforts are still necessary

BEUC, the European Consumers' Organisation, welcomes the fact that Europeans’ energy consumption rate are set to decrease with the second stage of the 2009 EU legislation phasing-out incandescent light bulbs. Whereas in 2009 100 watt bulbs were concerned, on September 1st 2010, 75 watt incandescent light bulbs will gradually disappear from the market and product information will now be mandatory on packaging.

Energy-saving light bulbs use up to 80% less energy and have a longer lifetime than incandescent light bulbs. During the lifetime of an energy-saving lamp, people would use 6 to 10 incandescent lamps! Using energy-saving light bulbs can save an average household €166 on their electricity bills in one year.

Secondly, this new stage in the phase-out process responds to a crucial consumer demand by requiring producers to display more precise information on the packaging (e.g. life time, colour temperature, warm-up time, or average number of times can be switched on/off). However, further efforts are still necessary. The European Consumers' Organisation demands an improved system of disposal of fluorescent bulbs and further reduction of the mercury content.

Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC, said:

"Both consumers and the environment will benefit from an increased usage of energy-saving light bulbs. However, as consumers are unfamiliar with terms such as Kelvin values or luminous flux, they can only take full advantage of this measure if they are helped to make informed choices based on reliable product information.

We are concerned that the mercury content in fluorescent lamps is still too high: with the best available technology, the current mercury threshold of 5mg can be lowered to only 1–2mg. Finally, we call on the authorities to ensure the recycling obligations are fully respected so that people will be able to return used bulbs to the point of sale.

A smooth phasing-out of incandescent light bulbs will only be possible with enlightened consumers!"

BEUC, the European Consumers' Organisation has a membership of 43 well respected, independent national consumer organisations from 31 European countries (EU, EEA and applicant countries). BEUC acts as the umbrella group in Brussels for these organisations and our main task is to represent our members and defend the interests of all Europe's consumers.