Fluorescent Lamps and Tubes will be Phased out in ...

Author: Helen

Sep. 23, 2024

Fluorescent Lamps and Tubes will be Phased out in ...

As of September , the fluorescent lamps and tubes will be phased out in the UK, under the updated RoHS Directives, in order to reduce mercury-containing lamps.

Goto BMT to know more.

When some hear about fluorescent lamps they may wonder who would even use such things today since LED lamps are a much better alternative, but many offices, schools and both residential and commercial applications still use the popular fluorescent lamps, fluorescent tubes, and fluorescent light bulbs.

Halogen lamps and fluorescent lamps used to be energy-saving and very sought after a while ago, but now they are the least energy efficient on the market.

Halogen lamps were banned in September , and it is now time for fluorescent lamps to be phased out and banned. 

Read more to find out all information you need concerning, 

RoHS Directive - the Phasing out of Fluorescent Lamps

The RoHS Directive stipulates that potentially hazardous substances - such as Mercury - in electrical and electronic equipment should be restricted and eliminated. Discharge lamps include mercury, which is a hazardous substance.

RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, and the RoHS directive related to fluorescent lamps is part of the goal to phase out toxic chemicals that are harmful both to the environment and to people's health.

In the spring of , the EU Commission revised the RoHS directive to phase out and ban the use of mercury; there were some exemptions until , but it is now time to get rid of the fluorescent lamps.

Lamps such as compact fluorescent, T5 fluorescent lamps, T8 fluorescent lamps, and halogen pin lamps are affected.

They are non-sustainable light sources, and the goal is to adopt long-term energy-efficient solutions by helping households and offices to reduce energy costs and be energy efficient.

From the first of September , T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes will be phased out altogether; this doesn't mean you can't find them in the shops but that they are no longer being made.

Business owners must sell energy-saving alternatives and discard fluorescent lamps as hazardous waste, or they can recycle them. 

Buy Fluorescent Lamps at Sparks

Why are fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes banned?

The Ecodesign and RoHS directives work to achieve the Global Goals and the EU's climate goals so that the lighting products' performance would be environmentally friendly in the EU and the UK.

The minimum requirements for products' environmental performance are not met by fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes, which have significantly higher energy consumption and a shorter lifespan than LED lamps.

Furthermore, the RoHS directive wants to get rid of hazardous chemical substances in all electrical and electronic equipment, including the lighting equipment. 

What is the Schedule for Phasing Out Fluorescent Lamps in the UK?

Here are the dates in the schedule for banning fluorescent lamps in the UK:

  • 25 February - prohibition of the placing on the market of all fluorescent lamps in ring form (T5, T9) and Compact fluorescent tubes, < 20 000 h lifetime. 24 February is the RoHS expiry date.
  • 25 February - Prohibition of the placing on the market of all compact fluorescent lamps with plug-in base (CFLni). 24 February is the RoHS expiry date.
  • 25 August - Prohibition of the placing on the market of all T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps and Compact fluorescent tubes, > 20 000 h lifetime. This includes T8 18-58W, T8 70W and special lengths. 24 August is the RoHS expiry date.
  • 1 September - Prohibition of the placing on the market of all Halogen Pins (Low voltage halogen lamps G4 and GY6.35 and mains voltage G9 230V). All halogen capsules are also phased out.
  • 24 February - Circline T9 lamps.
  • 24 February / - Special fluorescent lamp products. 
  • 24 February - High-Pressure Sodium (SHP) lamps.

In other words, from September the T5 fluorescent lamps and the T8 fluorescent lamps are banned.

The availability of these popular fluorescent tubes and lamps will be uncertain after the phase-out, so we recommend switching to LED lamps - LED battens, LED light bulbs, and LED panels, which are energy efficient. 

Buy LED Lamps at Sparks

Exceptions to the RoHS Fluorescent Lamps Ban

Most fluorescent lamps are phased out and banned, but there are some that can still be used.

These are special lamps made for special purposes in the industrial sector or the medical sector.

In these sectors, sufficiently reliable mercury-free substitutes are not yet available, so these fluorescent lamps have been given a time-limited exemption under the RoHS directives.

However, when it comes to residential, domestic, or commercial fluorescent lamps, most of them are being phased out and replaced by energy-efficient LED lamps.

What are the Alternatives to the Fluorescent Lamps?

If you have not yet switched from fluorescent lamps to LED lamps, now is the time to.

There are many alternatives available to the T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps, the compact fluorescent lamps, and any other fluorescent light bulbs.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website PHILIPS TUV T8 tube.

LED lamps, LED battens, and LED panels are now available to replace existing fluorescent lamps; they are more eco-friendly than any other light source.

On our website, you can still find some fluorescent lamps, but most of them are for in-store pick-up, and soon they will no longer be available.

Just imagine, a 6W fluorescent bulb is now replaced by a 2W LED lamp, and a 25W fluorescent lamp is replaced by a 12W LED lamp! Cut the energy costs in half with the LED lamps.

What are the Advantages of Switching from Fluorescent to LED Lamps?

In case you are not convinced concerning the benefits of switching from fluorescent lamps to LED lamps, here are some of the main advantages:

  • Many of the LED lamps match the shape and size of a fluorescent so that you can retrofit the luminaires.
  • You can safely and easily replace the fluorescent tubes and fluorescent lamps, even if sometimes rewiring is required. 
  • Long lamp life: up to 50.000h average rated lifetime for LED battens, lasting up to three times more than the standard fluorescent lamps.
  • Colour temperature can be selected either via CCT or from the beginning. 
  • Even though the LED lamps may have C to F energy class, they offer up to 90% energy savings. 
  • Most LED lamps come with a 5-year manufacturer warranty for complete peace of mind. 
  • The LED Lamps and Battens are more cost-effective: they may cost more upfront, but you will make it up in energy savings, long lamp lfe, and lower maintenance costs.
  • Better for the environment: the LED lamps and battens don't contain hazardous substances such as mercury and can be safely recycled.
  • Instant ON light: no need to wait for flickering light as with the fluorescent lamps. And the number of ON/OFF switches will not reduce the lifespan of the LED lamp.

What to do if you still have fluorescent lamps

There is no need to panic at the moment if you still have and use fluorescent lamps, fluorescent battens, and fluorescent light products.

However, it is good to plan to switch; instead of replacing the T5 or T8 batten, why not invest in eco-friendly LED battens?

It is good to plan to switch from anything fluorescent to LED, which are future-proof and also becoming cheaper and more effective as the technology develops.

As for the fluorescent lamps that you want to get rid of, we at Sparks can take them to safely recycle them; visit our lighting showroom in N19 5SE and bring in your fluorescent lamp for free recycling.

It is easy to retrofit the existing lamp with LED Lamps, and where this is not possible, it is probably time to change the entire light fitting to something that is energy-saving and compliant with the current RoHS directives.

If you are unsure what to do and need advice, do not hesitate to visit us in Holloway Road, N19 5SE, or call us at 020 to speak with our LED professional advisers.

At Sparks, we can offer the best advice on how to switch to energy-efficient lighting and get rid of the existing fluorescent lamps.

Further reading on the Phasing out of Fluorescent Lamps and Tubes

Here are some links to both official websites and suppliers that have put out more information regarding the phasing out and the ban of the fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes, in no particular order. 

When Are Fluorescent Lights Being Discontinued - LED Spot

For years, local, state, and national governments have placed additional regulations on the lighting industry and its products. This process continues pace, and while in the past these regulations were aimed at incandescent and halogen lamps, now fluorescent lighting is in the crosshairs.

For nearly a century, fluorescent light bulbs were the undisputed leaders in energy efficiency. This was true when CFLs were introduced in , and it was still true when LED lighting was just being introduced by manufacturers.

That&#;s no longer the case, though. Modern LED fixtures have passed fluorescents in terms of energy efficiency, along with safety, maintenance costs and lighting quality. With these facts in mind, some governments are limiting, or outright banning, the manufacturing of some fluorescent lamps.

What Types of Fluorescent Lighting are Being Targeted for Discontinuation?

At the national level, the Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for lighting regulations. In , it announced a phaseout of T12 fluorescent tubes. According to the DOE, after July 14, , T12 fluorescent tubes could no longer be manufactured, though manufacturers could exhaust their existing material stock to manufacture T12s before discontinuing them permanently.

However, there were some exceptions to the rules. Major manufacturers like Phillips were given an extension on the ban, but the DOE&#;s objective has been met. As soon as the DOE&#;s intention to ban T12s was clear, production plummeted. If your facilities rely on T12 fluorescents, you&#;ve likely had difficulty sourcing lamps or T12-related accessories, like ballasts.

A notable exception in the DOE&#;s regulation was high-CRI fluorescent lighting, specifically lamps with a CRI rating of 87 or higher. This exception buoyed the production of T12s for a while, but several states have already passed their own laws banning the sale or manufacturing of high-CRI linear fluorescent lighting. This essentially bans all T12s from those states, which include:

  • California
  • Colorado
  • Hawaii
  • Maine
  • Maryland (effective January 1, )
  • Massachusetts (sales may continue until January )
  • Nevada (effective January 1, )
  • New Jersey (effective January 18, )
  • Oregon (effective January 1, )
  • Vermont
  • Washington (effective January 1, )

Some T8 tubes are also considered high-CRI lamps and would therefore fall under these bans as well.

Why are States and National Governments Considering a Ban on Some Fluorescent Tubes?

Fluorescent tubes are available in a variety of sizes, denoted by the number following the &#;T.&#; The largest among them, by diameter, is the T12. T12 tubes are 1.5 inches in diameter, and their larger size means they must rely on electromagnetic induction to generate light. This is inherently less energy efficient (T12s require about 40 watts per hour to operate) than the more sophisticated circuitry built into T8s and T5s. A typical T8 tube, for example, requires between 25 and 30 watts an hour to run.

The DOE&#;s T12 phaseout was predicated on the T12&#;s poor energy efficiency, but there are other reasons why there is momentum behind a T12 ban. For example:

  • Lower quality illumination &#; Lamps aren&#;t generally phased out because they lag in output quality, but because T12s do produce lower quality illumination than T8s or T5s, this is one less defense for the fixture.
  • Contains higher amounts of mercury &#; A T12 lamp contains between 20 and 25 milligrams of mercury, which is much higher than newer fluorescent bulbs. Proper fluorescent tube recycling can prevent some of this mercury from reaching landfills, but only a small percentage of fluorescents are recycled.
    Fluorescent&#;s mercury content is relevant because mercury is an extremely toxic substance to contact or ingest. In developed countries like the U.S., a large amount of polluting mercury is a result of improper fluorescent tube disposal.
  • Must be replaced more often &#; Compounding the above issue is the fact that T12s must be replaced more often than other types of fluorescent fixtures. More frequent replacement means more opportunities for mercury to escape into the environment. More frequent replacement means higher costs over time.
    More efficient alternatives, including smaller fluorescent tubes, are also lower maintenance options.

What Lighting Alternatives are Available for Consumers and Companies?

The fluorescent phaseout is underway and will likely continue as long as even more efficient alternatives like LEDs gain market momentum. While T8 and T5 tubes aren&#;t targeted by the DOE&#;s Act, some T8s are already limited by high-CRI linear fluorescent lighting bans.

Facility operators and lighting experts can see which way the industry is headed. LED lighting has come a long way since it was introduced decades ago, and it&#;s quickly being adapted for a variety of lighting applications. LED lamps and bulbs offer several benefits compared to older lighting technologies, including:

  • Unsurpassed energy efficiency &#; Quality LED T8s require about half of the wattage that a fluorescent T8 needs. As lighting regulations tighten further, LED&#;s efficiency advantage may become more and more relevant.
  • Longer life &#; An LED tube lasts a lot longer than a comparable fluorescent tube. The typical LED tube is rated for about 50,000 hours of quality performance while a fluorescent T8 will only function for about 15,000 hours. With their extended lifespan, LED fixtures don&#;t need to be replaced or disposed of as often.
  • No mercury content &#; LED bulbs do contain a tiny amount of arsenic and some heavy metals, but the amount is so low that LEDs are not considered toxic by regulators. They don&#;t have to be disposed of in a particular way, as a result.
    Most importantly, LEDs contain zero mercury. Their environmental impact is greatly reduced as a result.

Modernize Your System with High Quality LED Lighting

In just the last couple decades, focused phaseouts of several older lighting technologies have changed the way the industry operates. With incandescent, halogen, and now fluorescent lights quickly becoming history, lighting manufacturers, facility managers, and even residential consumers are making the switch to LED lighting.

Many home and business owners are choosing LED retrofit kits to replace their existing fluorescent lighting. These kits bypass existing ballasts and snap in LED linear strips so that the fixture will be completely LED. This is a great economical solution, saving on kilowatts and requiring little maintenance.

If you&#;re considering the same for your property, work with a company that has a comprehensive selection of LED lighting products available, including LED retrofit options that can be quickly installed with your existing lighting infrastructure. Not only is LED lighting the energy efficient choice, it&#;s also quickly becoming a convenient one as well.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit philips led flood light.

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