T5 & T8 fluorescent and compact fluorescent tubes have been phased out.

In , T5 and T8 fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) were phased out in accordance with the European Commission's Ecodesign and RoHS Directives. The reason is to remove the most energy- and resource-demanding products from the market and the use of environmentally hazardous mercury. After August 24, , all production and imports of fluorescent tubes into the EU will be stopped in favor of LEDs. The ban on fluorescent tubes is an important step towards a more efficient and sustainable Europe.

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Why are fluorescent lights banned?

As part of the Global Goals and the EU's climate goals, the Ecodesign and RoHS directives work to ensure the high environmental performance of products in the EU. The Ecodesign Directive sets minimum requirements for products' environmental performance from an energy perspective and bans the most energy- and resource-demanding products on the EU market. Fluorescent tubes have significantly higher energy consumption and shorter lifespan than LEDs.

The RoHS directive restricts the use of hazardous chemical substances in all electrical and electronic equipment. Since , the use of mercury in goods and equipment has been prohibited, with certain exceptions. One exception has been to use a limited amount of mercury in light sources, but this exception is now abolished by RoHS.

 

Important dates for phase-outs off fluorescent lights

Type Phase out dates

Compact fluorescent tubes, < 20 000 h lifetime

Phased out 24 Feb

Circular fluorescent tubes T5, T9

Phased out 24 Feb

Fluorescent tubes T5 

Phased out 24 August

Fluorescent tubes T8 

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Phased out 24 August

Compact fluorescent tubes, > 20 000 h lifetime

Phased out 24 August

Halogen lamps G9 (230 V)

Phased out 1 September

Low voltage halogen lamps G4 and GY6.35

Phased out 1 September

When Are Your Fluorescent Lights Being Discontinued?

The quick and short answer is, if your office, store, hospital or school is still being lit with T12 linear fluorescent lamps, then yes, you have likely already experienced difficulty sourcing replacement products for burned out lamps or ballasts.

Even some T8 lamps have been phased out. US Congress has enacted legislation to prohibit the manufacture of these and other inefficient lighting technologies, and is calling for manufacturers to meet minimum efficiency requirements and lumens per watt for new products.

While the discontinued products may no longer be manufactured, they can still be sold until existing supplies are gone. In the meantime, consumers are likely to pay a premium for the lamps themselves, but also more in utility costs because these technologies use more energy. If you are using these lamps, it&#;s a great time to consider lighting efficiency projects.

WHY IS THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REGULATING T12 LAMPS?

DOE is regulating T12 lamps and some T8 lamps, incandescent lamps, and other inefficient technologies as a method of moving energy consumers to be more efficient. The new standards for linear fluorescent lamps is based on efficacy, or ensuring that newer lighting technology offers greater lumens (light output) per watt and a higher CRI (Color Rendering Index.) In effect since July , the legislation eliminates nearly all 4-foot T12 lamps, some 4-foot T8 lamps, most 8-foot T12 lamps, and almost all standard halogen PAR38, PAR30 and PAR20 lamps from the market.

T12 technology is over 80 years old. Since that time, lamps and bulbs have been developed that just work better. T8 and T5 linear fluorescents have:

• lower mercury content
• longer lamp life
• better color rendering
• are 30% or more efficient than older counterparts

REGULATION CONTINUES TO PROMOTE GREATER EFFICIENCIES

Additional legislation will come into effect to continue promoting energy efficiency advancements. More T8 products will be phased out and wider use of LED and other high efficiency lighting products will become more adapted. Here is a look at some changes you can expect.

Additionally, some good online tools and resources exist such as this chart from GE showing replacement options for products phased out in linear fluorescent, halogen and incandescent technologies.

LEGISLATIVE ACTS AFFECTING LIGHTING USERS*

A time line from GE Lighting shows how these changes have been in the works for the past several years.

ENERGY POLICY ACT
Established minimum efficiency requirements, incentives and research dollars for lamps, ballasts, fixtures and LEDs.

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT
Established minimum efficiency requirements for halogen and incandescent lamps beginning January 1, .

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REGULATIONS
New efficiency standards will place lumens per watt (LPW) requirements on linear and U-shaped fluorescent lamps and halogen PAR lamps effective July 14, through July 14, .

*There are exclusions to each of these regulations. For specific details go to www.gelighting.com/legislation. Eliminated products may not be manufactured on or after the effective dates noted above, but existing inventories may be sold until exhausted.

LAMP COMPARISON CHART, QUICK FACTS!

With this chart and some simple math you can easily recognize the difference between T12, T8 and T5 lamps if you are not sure how to tell which is which. This chart shows the difference in diameter between sizes. The &#;12,&#; &#;8,&#; and &#;5&#; actually refer to how many eighths of an inch the diameter of the lamp measures. For Example: 12*(1/8) =1.5, the diameter of a T12 lamp.

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