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Energy: Light Bulbs

Answer

Regulation 244/2009 sets the timetable for the EU-wide mandatory phase out of incandescent bulbs. This became law, directly applicable in all EU member states, in spring 2009 after agreement by the European Parliament and Council. Article 7 requires the European Commission to review the regulation no later than five years after it entered into force. We have no plans to seek an early review. Compact Florescent Lamps (CFLs) contain small quantities of mercury. The amount of mercury is limited by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive to 5 mg (and will be reduced over the next two years). Before the ban on placing 100W incandescent light bulbs on the market came into force in September 2009, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reviewed the potential health effects of mercury exposure from broken CFLs, and found that the exposure was likely to be small and very unlikely to cause harm. Nevertheless, they should be disposed of responsibly. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) requires CFLs to be recycled. WEEE requires distributors to take back used electrical equipment but in the UK many retailers have opted instead to pay into a central distributor take-back scheme, which has funded many local authority recycling sites. From these sites, manufacturers are obliged to fund the transport, treatment and recycling, where most of the mercury can be recovered. CFLs also cause less mercury to be emitted to the environment over their life time than incandescent light bulbs. This is because mercury is emitted from power stations during electricity generation. As CFLs are more energy efficient, less energy needs to be generated.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

5966; 724 c99-100WA

Session

2010-12

Subjects

Health hazards EU law Lighting Waste disposal Mercury

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk