In 2007, Congress passed the Energy Independence & Security Act (EISA07). This law directed the US Department of Energy (DOE) to set regulations that initially phased out the incandescent lamps in popular 40W, 60W, 75W, and 100W wattages. They were largely replaced with halogen lamps that were somewhat more efficient, as well as some CFLs and, more recently, LEDs.

Last year, DOE implemented the “backstop” provision of EISA07, requiring general service lamps (GSL) and general service incandescent lamps (GSIL) to exceed 45 lumens per watt. This is beyond the reach of both incandescent and halogen technology. In April of this year, the DOE released a statement explaining that it will begin its enforcement of the GSL & GSIL backstop standard. The fines could become significant, stating, “Any person who knowingly violates any provision of may be subject to assessment of a civil penalty of no more than $542 for each violation. As to § 429.102(a)(1)with respect to failure to certify, and as to § 429.102(a)(2), (5) through (9), each unit of a covered product or covered equipment distributed in violation of such paragraph shall constitute a separate violation. For violations of § 429.102(a)(1), (3), and (4), each day of noncompliance shall constitute a separate violation for each basic model at issue.” The April statement warned that DOE would begin enforcement in July of 2023. The net effect is that nearly all GSLs sold in the US will now be LED, as CFLs can not compete with LEDs on efficiency, dimmability, light quality, price, and more.

Meanwhile, in the European Union (EU), most remaining legacy lamp types become banned effective September 1, 2023. These include G9, G4, and GY6.35 halogen lamps, as well as long-life CFLs, T5, and T8 linear fluorescent lamps. The result is nearly all incandescent, halogen, CFL, and linear fluorescent lamps will all be banned in the EU, effective next month.

More information on enforcement of the US incandescent and halogen ban is available here.

More information on the latest EU halogen, CFL, and linear fluorescent lamp bans are available here.

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David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and President of Lighting Solution Development, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has co-chaired ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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