Timetable and overviews for the phase out of lamps

Many conventional lamps are no longer being placed on the market because they consume too much energy. This is based on Regulations 2019/2020/EU, 2019/2015/EU and 2024/1849. The EU Directive on the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic Equipment (RoHS) also applies to some lamps.
 

Which lamps are affected?

Kompaktleuchtstofflampen ohne Vorschaltgerät werden zum 25. Februar 2023 nach RoHS nicht mehr in den Verkehr gebracht.
Circular fluorescent lamps T5 will no longer be placed on the market after 25 February 2023 according to RoHS.

25th February 2023 according to RoHS

  • Compact fluorescent lamps (without integrated ballast)
  • Circular fluorescent lamps T5
Leuchtstofflampen T8 werden zum 25. August 2023 nach RoHS nicht mehr in den Verkehr gebracht.
Leuchtstofflampen T5 werden zum 25. August 2023 nach RoHS nicht mehr in den Verkehr gebracht.

25th August 2023 according to RoHS

  • Linear fluorescent lamps T8
  • Linear fluorescent lamps T5
Low-voltage halogen lamps (G4 and GY6.35) will be phased out according to the Ecodesign Regulation on 1st September 2023.
High-voltage halogen lamps (G9) will be phased out on 1st September 2023 according to the Ecodesign Regulation.

1st September 2023 according to Ecodesign Regulation

  • High-voltage halogen lamps (G9)
  • Low-voltage halogen lamps (G4 and GY6.35)
Halophosphate phosphor lamps will no longer be placed on the market in 2026.
Compact fluorescent lamps for general lighting will no longer be placed on the market in 2026.
Natriumdampf-Hockdrucklampen, die einen bestimmten Quecksilbergehalt überschreiten, werden 2026 nicht mehr in den Verkehr gebracht.
Certain high-pressure sodium lamps will no longer be placed on the market in 2026.

31st December 2025 according to EU regulation 2024/1849

  • Linear and non-linear halophosphate phosphor lamps for general lighting
  • Compact fluorescent lamps for general lighting for general lighting
  • Certain high-pressure sodium lamps for general lighting purposes (those exceeding certain mercury levels)
Linear and non-linear triband phosphor lamps will no longer be placed on the market in 2027.

31st December 2026 according to EU Regulation 2024/1849

  • Linear and non-linear triband phosphor lamps for general lighting

Timetable

The chart shows the lamps affected by the phase-out from 2023, their dates and the respective legal bases.
Fluorescent lamps for general lighting are being phased out in accordance with RoHS: Compact fluorescent lamps without integrated ballast and ring lamps since February 25, 2023; T5 and T8 from August 25, 2023.

Exceptions and special cases – which lamps remain?

  • High-voltage halogen lamps linear (R7s ≤ 2,700 lm)

Numerous special lamps and light sources for special applications are only partially affected or not affected at all. These include light sources for emergency and signal lighting and electronic displays, coloured lamps, plant and insect lamps, stage and studio lighting and light sources for ovens.

Important exceptions are:

  • Lamps below 60 lm or above 82,000 lm
  • Narrow beam light sources (< 10 degrees)
  • Infrared light sources (except R7s in existing lengths)
  • UV lamps (> 2mW/klm)
  • Special applications e.g. for ovens (300 degrees) or signalling
     

High pressure discharge lamps

High pressure discharge lamps are either high pressure mercury vapour lamps, halogen metal halide lamps or high pressure sodium vapour lamps.

  • High pressure mercury vapour lamps have not been used indoors for many years due to their low colour rendering (colour rendering index ≤ 70). Since 2015, their marketing has no longer been permitted in Europe (see table below).  
  • They have been almost completely replaced by more powerful halogen metal halide lamps. These are mainly used for hall lighting, outdoor lighting and street lighting. Stricter minimum values in terms of energy efficiency and service life have applied since 13 April 2017. Ballasts for discharge lamps were also given higher efficiency limits.
  • High pressure sodium lamps are characterised by a very high luminous efficacy. They are mostly used in outdoor lighting and in high halls where their low colour rendering can be tolerated. According to RoHS, some wattages will no longer be placed on the market since 24 February 2023 if they exceed a certain mercury content. These include the wattages of 250 and 400 W. Further models will follow at the end of 2025.

Review of the phase out models

Lamps that are already affected by the phase out will no longer be placed on the market in Europe since the respective cut-off date. Nevertheless, stocks continue to be sold and lamps already purchased may also be used.
 

Key date

Lamp

 

01/09/2009

 Incandescent lamps > 75 W
Halogen lamps > 60 W

Incandescent lamp

01/09/2010

 Incandescent lamps > 60 W
Halogen lamps > 40 W

Incandescent lamp

01/09/2011

 Incandescent lamps > 25 W

Incandescent lamp

01/09/2012

 Incandescent lamps ≤ 25 W

Incandescent lamp

01/04/2015

 High-pressure mercury vapour lamps (HQL)
Low-pressure sodium vapour lamps
Compact fluorescent lamps with conventional/electric ballast < 80 lm/W

 

01/09/2016

 High-voltage spotlights 230 V
Low-voltage halogen spotlights
> efficiency class B

Low-voltage halogen spotlights

01/09/2018

 High-voltage halogen lamps
Low-voltage halogen lamps
> efficiency class B

High-voltage halogen lamp

01/09/2021

 Fluorescent lamps T2

Fluorescent lamp

01/09/2021

 Fluorescent lamps T12

Fluorescent lamp

01/09/2021

 Compact fluorescent lamps with integrated ballast (E14, E27 etc.)

01/09/2021

 High-voltage halogen lamps linear
(R7s > 2,700 lm = ca. 140 W)		 High-voltage halogen lamp linear R7s

01/09/2021

 Low-voltage halogen lamps
(with reflector/GU4, GU5,3 etc.)
25/02/2023 Compact fluorescent lamps (without integrated ballast)
25/02/2023 Circular fluorescent lamps T5
25/08/2023 Linear fluorescent lamps T5
25/08/2023 Linear fluorescent lamps T8
31/12/2025 Linear and non-linear halophosphate phosphor lamps
31/12/2025 Compact fluorescent lamps
31/12/2025 Certain high-pressure sodium lamps Natriumdampf-Hockdrucklampen, die einen bestimmten Quecksilbergehalt überschreiten, werden 2026 nicht mehr in den Verkehr gebracht.
31/12/2026 Linear and non-linear triband phosphor lamps

 

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