The sale of incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs will be phased out for general household use. Picture: iStock
Incandescent bulbs can be up to 10x more power-hungry, and fluorescents twice more consumptive than LEDs, according toDespite the fact that households already started switching to the more energy efficient LED light bulbs a few years ago, many still opted to use the “old-fashioned” types which remained on the retail market.
While the regulations don’t name specific lamp types, they set a minimum luminous efficiency of 90 lumens per watt for regular electric lamps, which incandescents and CFLs don’t meet. This leaves only LED lamps for household use. The new rules will also help reduce harmful waste in the country. While incandescents have no notable risks associated with their disposal.A Eurolux document on the regulation change explained that noncompliant lights with an existing sales permit can still be sold until 31 December 2024, but no new permits will be issued.The second phase of the new regulations will come into play in March 2026, ramping up the minimum luminous efficiency to 105lm/W.