Europe Defers Halogen Lamp Ban Until 2018

Halogen Lamp

The European Commission(EU) has voted to delay the phase-out until 2018, after previously committing to withdraw the standard pear-shaped “GLS” halogen lamp from European markets by 2016.

Halogen lamps are only slightly more efficient than conventional filament bulbs and are highly inefficient compared with the best modern LED and compact fluorescent (CFL) lamps. This is why in 2009 the EC scheduled them for a September 2016 retirement. Traditional incandescent lamp bulbs are already banned from sale within the EU.

LightingEurope, representing leading European lighting manufacturers, national lighting associations and companies producing materials, had originally lobbied the EU to postpone the halogen phase-out until 2020, which would give the LED lighting industry greater time to develop more affordable replacements for halogen lamps.

LightingEurope did this because it had claimed that the quality, performance and price of LED lamps would not be ready to meet mass consumer demand until 2020. However, the EC says that the 2018 deadline is an acceptable compromise.

Commented LightingEurope’s Secretary General, Diederik de Stoppelaar, “The industry strongly supports — and has for years — the changeover to more energy efficient lighting solutions. “While 2020 was the ideal date for a phase-out of the popular domestic halogens, 2018 is an acceptable compromise. What consumers must understand is that alternative developing technologies take time to be fully realised – and then to subsequently be widely available on the market,” he said.

 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • What is Human Centric Lighting: Benefits & Applications

    What is Human Centric Lighting: Benefits & Applications

    Human centric lighting (HCL) is a kind of illuminated way based on human physical and psychological needs. Its core goal is to imitate the changes in natural light to support the body’s circadian rhythm, improve visual comfort, and enhance mood. The key element of human centric lighting contains dynamic ​color temperature adjustment, adjustable brightness, spectrum… Read More…

  • Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    At the crest of False Creek, Tesoro stands as a contemporary interpretation of classic luxury, offering 92 exclusive waterfront homes in the heart of Vancouver. Developed by Concert Properties, this 17-story residential tower embraces a distinctly modern character, harmonizing sleek design with timeless sophistication. The vision for Tesoro extended beyond its architectural presence—it was about… Read More…


New Products

  • Elevate Your Lighting with Magic Lite’s CCT Streamline Tape & Rotating Scene Control Panel

    Elevate Your Lighting with Magic Lite’s CCT Streamline Tape & Rotating Scene Control Panel

    Looking for the ultimate in flexibility and flawless aesthetics for your next lighting project? Meet the new CCT Streamline Tape and Rotating Scene Control Panel from Magic Lite—your solution for perfectly tunable, zero-pixelation illumination. Indoor and Outdoor options – both cuttable and re-connectable! Read More…

  • GVA Lighting: PIXEL GEN2 COLOR CHANGING

    GVA Lighting: PIXEL GEN2 COLOR CHANGING

    PIXEL GEN2 is the second generation of the direct-view PIXEL series, designed for dynamic color effects, low-resolution image displays, and media façades. Built on the award-winning COLOR-STREAM platform, it delivers 16X faster communication than DMX, ensuring ultra-smooth dimming and real-time responsiveness. With INFINITY technology, PIXEL GEN2 supports lighting circuits of up to 1,565 PIXELs, providing… Read More…