Following a new study that has revealed that nearly two thirds of UK consumers have not heard of the ‘halogen lamp ban’, LEDVANCE explains how the initiative works and why it’s important that your customers are armed with the facts.
With the sixth stage of the ErP Regulation (EC) 244/2009 now in force, prohibiting certain inefficient non-directional Halogen lamps on the market, LEDVANCE has conducted a consumer study that has revealed a lack of knowledge about the ban across Europe.
How does it work?
Since the autumn of 2009 energy-inefficient lamps have gradually disappeared from the market in accordance with a European directive. For retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers, the start of last month saw the next stage of the “halogen lamp ban” coming into force, ensuring the relevant products may no longer be put into circulation in the UK or anywhere else in the EU. Retailers and wholesalers are, however, allowed to ‘sell through’ their existing stocks.
The ban mainly covers the popular classic halogen light bulbs that are typically made of glass, emit light all round, have an E27 or E14 screw base and are operated without a transformer. Some non-directional halogen lamps with G4 and GY6.35 plug-in bases are also affected.
Awareness influencers
The results of LEDVANCE’s study clearly show that there is a considerable need for more information about the ban and its effects. In the UK alone nearly 64% of respondents had never heard of the ban and, if we add in the number of people who had heard about it but knew nothing about its consequences, that figure increases by to 74%.
Also noticeable is the fact that nearly 79% of those who were unaware of the ban are in the 50 to 60 age group. Even more surprising is that just over half of the respondents (54%) who had not heard about the next stage of the ban considered their knowledge of lighting systems to be good or at least adequate. By contrast, awareness in the 18 to 39 age group and among those with high incomes and high levels of education is particularly high.
Different countries
In contrast to the UK, at the top of the table is Italy with 58% of respondents being aware of the ban. Germany ranked mid-table with 49% in terms of awareness, while the British came in last with only 35%, just behind Sweden with 39%.
With the new directive now in place since the beginning of last month, consumers and electricians need to rethink. There are already a large number of energy-efficient and cost-effective LED alternatives to halogen lamps on the market, such as those from LEDVANCE, which look remarkably like their halogen predecessors.
LED retrofit lamps equipped with the latest filament technology are a good example as they can be used as direct replacements for old halogen light bulbs. The replacement products are available as all-glass versions, dimmable versions, and either clear or frosted.
For more information on the halogen ban and suitable alternative luminaires from LEDVANCE visit: www.ledvance.co.uk
