[tinwhiskers] European Union to Phase Out Incandescent Bulbs by 2012
- From: "Bob Landman" <rlandman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "tin whiskers forum" <tinwhiskers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:49:53 -0500
Ah, the EU.......
-Bob Landman
H&L Instruments,LLC
http://www.ecnmag.com/ez-European-Union-incandescent.aspx?menuid=&adcode=section=effzone
European Union to Phase Out Incandescent Bulbs by 2012
by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor
Ecnmag.com - December 11, 2008
European Union to Phase Out Incandescent Bulbs by 2012
by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor
In a move sure to ignite debate on this side of the Atlantic, the European
Union approved the phasing out of incandescent bulbs by 2012. Here in the US,
we?re debating which technologies should be allowed to earn a label (Energy
Star). Over in Europe, they?ve ended the discussion with multinational
governmental action. By following the commission?s proposal, EU citizens will
save close to 40 TWh per year, and emissions will go down by 15 million tons of
CO2 (according to the European Commission). But there?s a larger issue at hand:
should government have such control of industry?
Adoption of the proposal will begin in 2009, with the gradual phasing out of
incandescents by 2012. According to the EU?s press release, ?It (the
regulation) progressively removes incandescent bulbs from the market in a way
that allows manufacturers to adapt their production.? The ?approved list?
includes compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and efficient halogen lamps. What
about aesthetic considerations? The EU points once again to the three-year
adoption period. The implied hope is that companies will adapt their production
to accommodate the proposal while still releasing an attractive product. And if
they don?t? Well, by 2012 it will be law. Unless consumers find bulbs on the
secondary market, their choices will be limited.
And what if companies are unable to switch production? How many companies will
be forced to shut down? These are the hard questions that will need answers,
especially if such a proposal ever gains steam in the US.
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