September 1st, 2009
Gute Nacht, Herr Edison
The European Union is phasing out the incandescent bulb. As of today the 100 watter can no longer be imported or made within the members of the E.U. By 2012 all incandescent bulbs will be illegal although those on stores shelves can be sold, and hoarded according to some reports.
There are protests in Europe from people sensitive to flourescent lights, especially lupus victims. It’s expected for now the CFLs and halogen lights will be the more energy efficient replacements for the incandescent which has change little since Edison invented it. CFLs, of course, have the little problem of mercury vapor when comes time to dispose of them.
For those incandescent die-hards there will bulbs available through specialist retailers, heavy-duty bulbs for industrial and mining use. Like our own American tax code, the EU law has a loophole for every regulation.
None of the articles I found in the European media even mention LEDs. Sad, that’s the truly energy efficient alternative, and the sooner, the better.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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