There has recently been much publicity regarding the phasing out of incandescent (GLS) classic light bulbs which has caused scare mongering and panic buying amongst many consumers.  Some consumers have stock piled hundreds of these bulbs following speculation that they would be “banned” in January 2009.

This has lead to shortages in the supply of the bulbs but the truth is far from a “ban”.  Retailers are still willing and able to sell these incandescent bulbs in all their varieties, as the official ban on these bulbs will not become effective until 2016.

The government has initiated a phasing out period of these bulbs in the run up to the official ban in 2016, and this has begun by encouraging the use of energy saving light bulbs in homes and businesses throughout the UK and Europe.

There is a European Union Draft Regulation in place whereby some of the larger retailers in the UK and Europe have agreed voluntarily to discontinue stocking incandescent bulbs when their existing stocks run out.

This is to be done over a period of four years between September 2009 and September 2012, with the highest wattage incandescent bulbs being phased out throughout Europe in the first instance, and then this will be followed by a gradual phase out of the lower wattages over the remaining years.

The Draft Regulation includes some exceptions in the phase out, including certain spot light bulbs and other more specialist use bulbs such as oven bulbs. It is also important to recognise that the Draft Regulation is still not approved by the EU member states, but we will endeavour to keep our customers updated with information as and when it becomes available.

In the UK there is a voluntary scheme to reduce the availability of incandescent bulbs by major retailers and DIY outlets. The schedule for this phase out began in January 2008 when retailers discontinued replenishing the higher wattage 150Watt-plus incandescent GLS bulbs.

This was followed in January 2009 by the same action for 100Watt incandescent GLS bulbs. In January 2010 the same will apply to 60Watt incandescent GLS bulbs and in January 2011, other incandescent bulbs will follow suit including all incandescent ping pong bulbs and candle bulbs.

Finally, at the end of 2011, the major retailers will discontinue stocking all outstanding incandescent GLS, candle and ping pong bulbs.