Post by cerridwen on May 11, 2009 6:55:07 GMT
Frosted light bulbs to be banned by EU
Frosted light bulbs are to be phased out under new EU plans to force people to use more energy-efficient bulbs.
By Chris Jefferies
Last Updated: 5:05PM BST 09 May 2009
From September, retailers will not be able to buy in new stock of any type of opaque 'incandescent' bulb.
This includes the conventional 100 and 60 watt 'pearl' bulbs, as well as the more specialised frosted 25 watt and 40 watt bulbs which are shaped like candles and golf balls.
Clear 100 watt bulbs will also disappear from stores at the same time and shoppers will be forced to buy low energy compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) or low energy halogen bulbs.
Other clear bulbs which have low energy-efficient ratings will be phased out by 2012.
The introduction of the ban on frosted bulbs in less than five months time has led to criticism from retailers and consumers who claim the switch has been rushed and that the alternative low energy bulbs are inadequate and expensive. Some do not work with dimmer switches.
James Shortridge, owner of lighting chain Ryness said: "We are seeing people coming in and bulk buying. People like frosted bulbs because they have a softer light."
Tony Roberts, who owns D&G Hardware in Winchester, Hampshire, said the new energy-efficient alternatives are not ideal for the elderly.
"For a lot of older people the light is too intense, they prefer the more diffuse light," he said.
According to the Government, frosted bulbs are in the first wave of the ban because they are the "least efficient of all incandescent bulbs".
A spokesman for the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs said: 'From September 1 it will be illegal for manufacturers to sell frosted incandescent bulbs to EU retailers. Anyone who has them in stock can still sell them off."
A spokesman for the Lighting Association said there was no need to stockpile bulbs.
"Consumers will realise in the end that the alternatives provide substantial savings and have equivalent light quality to incandescents,' he added.
Major retailers began to stop selling 100 watt bulbs under a voluntary agreement at the start of the year. They are still available in smaller lighting and hardware stores. It follows the withdrawal of 150 watt bulbs last year.
Frosted light bulbs are to be phased out under new EU plans to force people to use more energy-efficient bulbs.
By Chris Jefferies
Last Updated: 5:05PM BST 09 May 2009
From September, retailers will not be able to buy in new stock of any type of opaque 'incandescent' bulb.
This includes the conventional 100 and 60 watt 'pearl' bulbs, as well as the more specialised frosted 25 watt and 40 watt bulbs which are shaped like candles and golf balls.
Clear 100 watt bulbs will also disappear from stores at the same time and shoppers will be forced to buy low energy compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) or low energy halogen bulbs.
Other clear bulbs which have low energy-efficient ratings will be phased out by 2012.
The introduction of the ban on frosted bulbs in less than five months time has led to criticism from retailers and consumers who claim the switch has been rushed and that the alternative low energy bulbs are inadequate and expensive. Some do not work with dimmer switches.
James Shortridge, owner of lighting chain Ryness said: "We are seeing people coming in and bulk buying. People like frosted bulbs because they have a softer light."
Tony Roberts, who owns D&G Hardware in Winchester, Hampshire, said the new energy-efficient alternatives are not ideal for the elderly.
"For a lot of older people the light is too intense, they prefer the more diffuse light," he said.
According to the Government, frosted bulbs are in the first wave of the ban because they are the "least efficient of all incandescent bulbs".
A spokesman for the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs said: 'From September 1 it will be illegal for manufacturers to sell frosted incandescent bulbs to EU retailers. Anyone who has them in stock can still sell them off."
A spokesman for the Lighting Association said there was no need to stockpile bulbs.
"Consumers will realise in the end that the alternatives provide substantial savings and have equivalent light quality to incandescents,' he added.
Major retailers began to stop selling 100 watt bulbs under a voluntary agreement at the start of the year. They are still available in smaller lighting and hardware stores. It follows the withdrawal of 150 watt bulbs last year.