Brazil and Venezuela started the phase-out of incandescent light bulbs in 2005, and the European Union, Switzerland, and Australia started to phase them out in 2009. Likewise, other nations are implementing new energy standards or have scheduled phase-outs: Argentina, Russia, and Canada in 2012, and the United States and Malaysia in 2014.
Governments around the world have passed measures to improve the energy efficiency of light bulbs used in homes and businesses. Very often, these measures effectively ban the manufacture, importation or sale of current incandescent light bulbs for general lighting. The aim is to increase the use and technological development of more energy-efficient lighting alternatives, such as compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs) and LED lamps. In some countries, manufacturers will still be free to produce future versions of incandescent bulbs if they are sufficiently energy efficient.
Resistance to the phase-out of incandescent light bulbs can be because of a preference for the quality of light they produce. Resistance can also arise because some say that the free market is preferable to regulation, while others say that only government intervention will improve energy efficiency. There are also environmental concerns about mercury contamination with CFLs. However, recycling of CFLs greatly reduces releases, and at least where power is derived from coal there is lower mercury release even if the bulbs end up in landfills. Formerly, instant availability of light was an issue for CFLs, but newer CFLs are available with an Instant On feature, as well as a wide variety of correlated color temperatures. CFLs and LEDs labeled for dimmer control are also becoming available, although typically at higher cost.
Phase out of incandescent light bulbs around the world
Regional developments
Asia
People's Republic of China
China will ban imports and sales of certain incandescent light bulbs starting October 2012 to encourage the use of alternative lighting sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), with a 5-year plan of phasing-out incandescent light bulbs over 100 watts starting October 1, 2012, and gradually extend the ban to those over 15 watts on October 1, 2016. Another source, however, has indicated that by October 1, 2016, all incandescent light bulbs will be banned. According to this source, November 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012 will be a transitional period and as of October 1, 2012, imports and sales of ordinary incandescent bulbs of 100 watts or more will be prohibited. The first phase will be followed by a ban on 60-watt-and-higher incandescent light bulbs starting in October 2014. By October 2016, all incandescent light bulbs will be banned in China. The final phase may be the adjusted according to the results of interim assessment from October 2015 to October 2016.
India
While not a complete ban, the plan is to replace 400 million incandescent light bulbs with CFLs by 2012. The energy savings and resultant carbon emissions savings is expected to be around 55 million tonnes per year
The states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in India have banned the use of incandescent bulbs in government departments, public sector undertakings, various boards, cooperative institutions, local bodies, and institutions running on government aid.
Philippines
In February 2008, president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called for a ban of incandescent light bulbs by 2010 in favor of more energy-efficient fluorescent globes to help cut greenhouse gas emissions and household costs during her closing remarks at the Philippine Energy Summit. Once put in effect, the country will be the first in Asia to do so.
Malaysia
The Government will stop all production, import and sales of incandescent light bulbs by or before January 2014, as part of efforts to save power and to help cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Israel
Phase out of 60W and over incandescent lightbulbs has been implemented from 1 January 2012. As a measure to increase awareness a national awareness campaign has been initiated by the Ministry of Energy where 3 CFLs will be sold at a subsidized price to the public.
