Fluorescent Lamps to be Phased Out in EU from 2023
EU aims to completely ban fluorescent T5 & T8 lamps starting from 2023 due to their negative environmental impact.
The Commission Delegated Directive EU 2022/276 issued on December 13, 2021, aims to phase out T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps by 2023. This is according to the RoHS and Ecodesign directives that are designed to eliminate resource-hungry electric products from the European markets.
The fluorescent lamps are still in use across multiple industries, and public and private properties. Parking garages, public parks, schools, and warehouses still deploy these outdated technologies for their lighting.
Apart from being resource-intensive lighting solutions, fluorescent lamps and many high-intensity sodium lights use mercury in their design. The EU Commission aims to eliminate the use of mercury in lighting solutions to reduce the amount of mercury pollution.
The EU Ecodesign Directive aims to reduce the energy consumption of lighting fixtures. The T8 fluorescent lights are at the top of the chain when it comes to consuming energy. Therefore, they are the first ones to be phased out. The process is going in stages to facilitate businesses and reduce the load on personal properties.
The RoHS directives aim to regulate mercury starting in 2023. This means T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes as well as compact fluorescent lamps are going to be phased out in 2023 as well. This is thanks to energy-efficient lighting solutions being widely available to use and cost-efficient. Furthermore, new solutions like LEDs are mercury-free and comply with EU Ecodesign Directive, making them an ideal replacement for aging and dangerous lighting technologies.
LED lights don’t contain toxic elements like mercury that are hazardous to the environment as well as health. They are energy efficient and can help reduce the overall energy consumption of your establishment. They last significantly longer than fluorescent tubes and don’t require a lot of maintenance. They also have lower CO2 emissions making them an ideal candidate for energy-efficient and environment-friendly lighting solutions.
The Ecodesign Directive
The Ecodesign Directive was founded in 2005 as it was an economic and environmental need of the time. The main goal of the Ecodesign Directive is to set minimum requirements for the energy consumption of products. It also regulates the usage of energy-intensive electric devices and products in the European Union markets.
The Ecodesign Directive calculates the energy consumption of electronic devices and also considers their whole life cycle. It also keeps emissions released into the environment, ease of recycling once its life cycle ends, and through information on any hazardous substances used in its construction.
To set the framework for all the energy and environment-related product requirements, the Ecodesign Directive uses testing. Once a framework for a specific product is completed, the product regulations are confirmed. The body also makes sure when the requirements are implemented and also determines when regulations can be applied through law in the European Union.
According to the European Commission, the Ecodesign Directive requirements will be able to save 537 TWh of electricity each year in the EU 2020. This combined with the energy saved from water heaters and boilers will result in a saving of 5% across the EU. The European Union aims to reduce energy usage by 20% just from lighting sources. The Ecodesign Directive will be aiming for a 32.5% increase in energy efficiency by 2030 followed by climate neutrality by 2050.
What is RoHS
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The main goal of this body is to restrict the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic devices to protect not just public health but also the environment.
The EU is among the top e-waste producers and the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment is increasing rapidly every year. EU laws have restricted the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment since 2003.
The rapid rise in manufacturing and usage of electrical and electronic products, like smartphones, computers, and appliances increased electrical and electronic waste. Many of these devices release hazardous and harmful substances while in use while being made, treated, and when disposed of.
The RoHS directive is directly responsible for restricting the use of certain hazardous materials in electrical and electronic equipment. The WEEE Directive is for the collection and recycling of such hazardous products and materials. The RoHS Directive restricts the usage of ten substances:
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Hexavalent chromium
- Mercury
- Polybrominated biphenyls
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
- Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
Mercury is a homogenous substance that is directly regulated by RoHS. It is a hazardous substance that is a direct threat to public health and can act as an environmental toxin. Mercury enjoyed an exception that allowed it to be used in fluorescent lamps in limited quantities. However, this exception was removed in February 2022.
RoHS is also phasing out cold cathode fluorescent lamps and external electrode fluorescent lamps by 2025. They will also be removing High-Pressure Sodium Vapour lamps by February 2027. This means any light fixtures using mercury or consuming high amounts of energy will be phased out by the EU in a couple of years. Thankfully, LED lights are readily available not only in the European Union but across the globe. The LED light fixtures are completely free of mercury and are an excellent replacement for traditional fluorescent lamps and lights.
| February 24, 2023 | August 24, 2023 | February 24, 2025 | February 23, 2027 |
| CFL Lifetime < 20,000 h | CFL Lifetime > 20,000 h | Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps | High-pressure Sodium Lamps |
| T9 Circline Lamps 10 – 15 mg mercury | T5 fluorescent tubes < 3 mg mercury | External Electrode fluorescent lamps | Metal Halide Lamps |
| T8 fluorescent tubes < 3.5 mg mercury |
What Steps To Take
The EU is only banning the sale of old fluorescent light sources. You are still allowed to use your already installed lights even after the August 24, 2023 ban comes into place. However, it is always a good idea to plan and think about the future. Our LED solutions provide better lighting at lower power consumption so your personal property or business can stay lit for a fraction of the cost.
You’ll need to evaluate what your needs are. Certain LED lights are suitable for specific environments. For example, if you want to light up a car wash, it’d be better to invest in LED lights that are waterproof. Or if you have a parking garage, you’d want to have weatherproof lights that can counter eternal weather and elements well. There are many LED solutions available from office lights that won’t strain the eyes to bright lights that can light up long corridors.
Moving to the LED future is the way forward. Not only you’ll be saving in the long run but also have a positive impact on the environment. LED lights are energy-efficient, powerful, and long-lasting. LED lights have lower CO2 emissions as well. You’ll save a lot when your electric bills arrive and with LED lights needing little to no maintenance, you’ll save manpower and time as well.
So for us, how to do next to get this opportunity?
– What options exist to instead of fluorescent lamp?
What kind of product is suitable to instead of T5&T8 Fluorescent Lamps?
- LED Tube light
- LED batten
- LED trunking retroft
