Phase-out of incandescent light bulbs
[3] Likewise, other nations are implementing new energy standards or have scheduled phase-outs: Argentina,[4] and Russia in 2012, and Canada,[5] Mexico,[6] Malaysia,[7] and South Korea in 2014.
Compared to general-service incandescent lamps giving the same amount of visible light, CFLs use one-fifth to one-third the electric power and may last eight to fifteen times longer.
[13] Newer phosphor formulations have improved the perceived color, with "soft white" CFLs judged subjectively similar to standard incandescent lamps.
Their advantages over fluorescent bulbs[20] include: they use less power for the same light output, [21] they contain no mercury, they turn on instantly over a wider range of temperatures, their lifetime is less affected by cycling on and off, they have no glass to break, and they emit less UV rays that fade colored materials.
[22] LED lamps radiate much less heat than other technologies, and can be either multi-directional or unidirectional, eliminating the need for a mirrored reflector in the bulb or fixture.
[24] Of the members of ECOWAS, Cape Verde, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Benin and Togo have had exchange programs to replace incandescent bulbs with energy efficient versions.
[39] According to this source, 1 November 2011 to 30 September 2012 will be a transitional period and as of 1 October 2012, imports and sales of ordinary incandescent bulbs of 100 watts or more will be prohibited.
[49] It was reported in 2012 that Malaysia would ban production, import and sales incandescent bulbs by 2014 as part of efforts to save power and to help cut greenhouse gas emissions.
In February 2008, president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called for a ban of incandescent light bulbs by 2010 in favor of more energy-efficient fluorescent globes to help cut greenhouse gas emissions and household costs during her closing remarks at the Philippine Energy Summit.
[58] Tajikistan reportedly banned incandescent light bulbs in 2009 to save energy, though this was criticized as alternatives were expensive at the time.
[63] In practice, some manufacturers and retailers have found loopholes in the new rules so that some incandescent are still available, marketed as "rough-service" or "shock-resistant" bulbs for industrial use only.
Such bulbs, may differ from standard types by only the number of filament supports and while labelled for special uses they are widely available in markets and hardware stores at much lower cost than official alternatives such as CFLs.
The EU confirmed that there was no reason to delay the ban on mains voltage directional halogen lamps, as all four of the criteria had been sufficiently met.
There was a half-year delay in implementing the directive compared to the EU, but the phase out occurred at the same time since the affected light bulbs were no longer available from European sources.
[76] The provincial government of Nova Scotia stated in February 2007 that it would like to move towards preventing the sale of incandescent light bulbs in the province.
[77] In April 2007, Ontario's minister of energy, Dwight Duncan, announced the provincial government's intention to ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs by 2012.
[78] Later in April, the federal government announced that it would ban the sale of inefficient incandescent light bulbs nationwide by 2012 as part of a plan to cut down on emissions of greenhouse gases.
[82] The Energy Star program, in which Natural Resources Canada is a partner, in March 2008 established rules for labeling lamps that meet a set of standards for efficiency, starting time, life expectancy, color, and consistency of performance.
The intent of the program is to reduce consumer concerns about efficient light bulbs due to variable quality of products.
[91] In March 2008, the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program established rules for labeling lamps that meet a set of standards for efficiency, starting time, life expectancy, color, and consistency of performance.
The intent of the program is to reduce consumer concerns about efficient light bulbs due to variable quality of products.
The 2012 United States federal budget effectively delayed the implementation of the first stage of the EISA phase-out until October 2012 by defunding all enforcement activities.
[94] In 2014, the Department of Energy issued regulations that would extend the efficiency standards of the 2007 EISA law to certain specialty bulbs, effective January 2020.
[109] In February 2007, Australia enacted a law that, in effect, by legislating efficiency standards, disallow most sales of incandescent light bulbs by 2010.
[118] In February 2007, then Climate Change Minister David Parker, Labour Party, announced a similar proposal to the one in Australia,[119] except that importation for personal use would have been allowed.
[124] As specified in Interministerial Ordinance 1,007 of 31 December 2010, incandescent light bulbs must perform according to certain levels of luminous efficacy to be produced, imported and sold in Brazil.
[134][143] The European Association for the Co-ordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation (ANEC) has called for a speedy reduction of the mercury levels contained within CFLs from the current 5 mg limit to 1 mg.[144] The European Consumers' Organisation said that phasing out incandescent bulbs will be detrimental for people suffering light-related health issues,[145] and called for the continued availability of incandescent bulbs: The EU Regulation falls short of the needs of some consumers who need to use the old-style light bulbs for health-related reasons such as light sensitivity.
[149] CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps, contain small amounts of mercury, as both vapor and droplets inside the glass tubing, averaging 4.0 mg per bulb.
[153] After a proper cleanup, any potential short term exposure offers no significant health risks to adults, including pregnant women, or to children.
For example, automotive applications in cold climates benefit from the radiated heat as it melts potentially visually-obstructive snow and ice on warning lights and signs.
