THE EUROPEAN Union has of yesterday banned the import and production of 100-watt light bulbs to save energy, cut greenhouse emissions and fight climate change.
The ban is the first step in the process of phasing out incandescent and frosted light bulbs across the union by 2012.
Others such as 75-watt bulbs will be restricted in September 2010, and 60 watt bulbs in September 2011.
Under the same directive, the EU also intends to phase out all halogen lamps by 2013.
The EU directive aims to replace these with the more eco-friendly and efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL). These use 80 per cent less energy than conventional bulbs, and can save consumers a significant sum on their bill. The Energy Saving Trust, a UK organisation, said that the average home could produce up to 135kg less CO2 in a year.
The ban was first proposed in 2007 by Germany’s environment minister, Sigmar Gabriel. He predicted that making the switch could save 25 million tonnes of CO2 per year. A European Commission report has predicted the move could save 40 Terawatt hours of energy across Europe each year, enough to power Cyprus eight times over.
Charalambos Theopemptou, Commissioner for the Environment, said yesterday: “The new bulbs have the advantage of being more efficient and longer lasting.” In 2008 the Energy Authority of Cyprus (EAC) gave 400,000 of the new bulbs to customers.
Not all have welcomed this move however. There are a number of health concerns about the CFLs. They have been associated with Lupus, migraines, epilepsy and dermatological conditionals due to the mercury content, which has also caused a problem with disposing of the bulbs as they can break, and the mercury escape, if thrown in the normal rubbish cycle.
Asked about the health concerns with the new bulbs, Theopemptou said: “I am aware of the problems, such as mercury in the bulbs. We are working to solve this with more efficient recycling plants, but the solution lies in new technology – in particular the development of LED technology. We are already seeing these used in traffic lights and cars such as Audis.”
He explained that not only are they even more reliable and efficient than current energy saving bulbs, but easily and cheaply made, since they are made from readily available silica. “The lighting industry is pushing forward with this”.
Alexis Demetriou, one of the owners of Demco lighting said yesterday “LED lights have been on the market for over a year now. They offer a great opportunity, but also a great threat. The transition will be a change”. He added: “They are about three times the price of standard economy lamps, but the break-even time is about a year, as they only use 3 watts and produce no heat”.
David Price, of Spectrum, which represents charities for people with light-sensitive health conditions, said the government was disregarding public concerns over the new bulbs.
He said: “Health is important and it should come over anything else, but they’re not looking after ours.” He added: “They’re not listening to the public or talking to the actual sufferers.”
EU health experts have concluded that there is not enough evidence to suggest modern lamps aggravate epilepsy or migraines. A small number of people with light sensitive conditions could mitigate risks by using “double envelope” variety of lamps.
In Germany, consumers have responded to the change in law by buying up the remaining stocks of the inefficient 100-watt bulbs. The market research firm, GFK has reported a 35 per cent jump in sales, with some retailers showing a 600 per cent increase in sales since July.
Retailers are still allowed to sell existing stocks, but once the supply has run out no more will be imported in or produced in the EU.
