Phasing out bulbs in 2021: This is what you should pay attention to!
When will CFL bulbs be removed from the market?
As part of the European Union's Ecodesign Directive, no new CFL bulbs with integrated ballasts (for example those with E14 or E27 bases) will be produced from 1 September 2021. Old bulbs can still be sold, but the stock will be steadily reduced. If you are currently looking for new CFL bulbs, we recommend switching to LED CFL bulbs. We will explain the advantages of this in a later chapter. Please note: CFL bulbs with external ballasts will continue to be available in stores - a phase-out of these products is not yet planned.
Also affected by the ban: R7s, GU4, GU5.3, G53, T12 and T2
The EU is not only phasing out CFL bulbs from 1 September 2021, the regulation also applies to three other light sources:
- R7s halogen bulbs with a luminosity over 2,700 lm (in about 140 W).
- Low-voltage halogen bulbs: GU4, GU5.3 and G53 with reflector and a beam angle of more than 10 degrees
- Fluorescent tubes: T12 and T2
For these bulbs, too, only the remaining stock will be sold from the beginning of September 2021. However, just as with the CFL bulbs, there are also efficient LED alternatives that can benefit you.
Below, you will find an overview of all lamps that will disappear from the market in the foreseeable future:
| Bulbs | CFL Bulbs |
R7s Bulbs |
T2-, T12 Tubes |
GU4-, GU5.3-, G53 Halogen Bulbs |
T8 Tubes |
G4-, GY6.35-, G9 Halogen Bulbs |
| Condition | incl. integrated ballast | >2,700 lm (ca. 140 W) | – | with reflector and beam angle >10° | 600 mm, 1,200 mm, 1,500 mm | – |
| Phase Out | 1. September 2021 | 1. September 2021 | 1. September 2021 | 1. September 2021 | 1. September 2023 | 1. September 2023 |
Exceptions
There are also bulbs that fall into one of the affected categories, but are considered exempt. These include, for example:
- Emergency lighting
- Battery operated light sources
- Fixtures with replaceable light source
- Works of art
A complete list of exemptions can be found in the EUR-Lex database (Annex III - Exemptions).
Outlook: Which types of bulbs will be removed from the market in the future?
The next cut-off date for traditional bulbs is 1 September 2023. From this date onwards, some popular bulbs will no longer be available on the market. For example, the production of T8 fluorescent tubes with lengths of 600 mm, 1,200 mm as well as 1,500 mm will be discontinued. In addition, pin-base lamps for G4, GY6.35 and G9 sockets will be phased out. It is difficult to predict which other bulbs will have to leave the market in the future. In the course of environmental protection and the expansion of sustainability, however, more will certainly be added. In Switzerland, for example, all halogen bulbs are already banned.
However, you don't necessarily have to mark this day in red on your calendar: As with other bulbs, there are LED alternatives for these bulbs that can not only save you a large part of your energy costs, but also last much longer than conventional products. In this way, you not only relieve your wallet extremely efficiently, but also the environment, as less waste is produced.
Why are CFL bulbs and other bulbs being removed from the market?
Through the Ecodesign Directive, the European Union wants to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. Various measures are being taken to achieve this. Among other things, this will prevent inefficient bulbs from appearing on the market. The European Union thus wants to save about 167 terawatt hours of energy annually by the target year. This corresponds roughly to the annual energy consumption of Denmark. In the course of this, there will also be a change to a new energy label: instead of D to A++, the energy efficiency of an electronic device or bulb will be measured from G to A.
LED - the efficient alternative for conventional bulbs
As described above, there is an LED alternative for every bulb that will no longer be produced after 21 September 2021. These not only provide light of the same quality, but also come with a particularly high energy efficiency: for example, LED spotlights can save you up to 90 % in energy costs compared to conventional halogen spotlights. There are only advantages to switching. It is also extremely simple in many cases: E27 or E14 CFL bulbs can simply be replaced by a LED Light with the same base.
Enclosed, you will find a small list of LED alternatives that can replace your old bulbs. If you are interested in a product group, simply click on the button below the picture.
What do I have to consider when changing from conventional bulbs to LEDs?
Most of your old bulbs can be replaced directly by LEDs. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Make sure you use bulbs with the same colour code and lumen value: This is especially important if you want to create the same light colour and light intensity with your new LED as with your old bulb. You will always find the colour code in the title of each product, for example, it looks like "927". The first digit indicates the colour rendering of the bulb - 9 stands for a CRI of 90-99 Ra. The last two digits indicate the colour temperature: 27 stands for 2,700 K - i.e. "Extra Warm White". More information on this topic can be found in the blog entry: What is colour temperature? You can find the lumen value of each bulb in our webshop in its technical information.
In addition, always compare the dimensions of your old and new bulbs before buying a new LED. LED bulbs tend to be a little larger than conventional products. This is because more electronics are built into them.
Incidentally, this in turn is a decisive reason why you should not dispose of LED bulbs in your household waste: Although they do not contain any toxic ingredients, they can be wonderfully recycled and therefore belong at a recycling centre.