Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the proposal by the European Commission to ban the use of halogen light bulbs throughout the European Union; whether they will oppose any such policy; and whether they consider that it would comply with the principle of subsidiarity.

There are no proposals to ban the use of halogen lightbulbs in the EU. Regulation EC 244/2009, which is made under the provisions of the Ecodesign of Energy-related Products Directive (2009/125/EC), came into force in September 2009. Since then it has progressively removed the least efficient domestic lighting from the market.

On 1^st September 2016 stage 6 will prevent halogen lightbulbs that are equivalent to a “C” label class from being placed on the EU market. Come September 2016, stocks of “C” class halogens already in the supply chain can continue to be sold and used, though manufacturers will cease supplying new “C” class bulbs at this point. However, “B” and “A” label class halogens lightbulbs will be unaffected by the regulation and will still be allowed.

The UK Government supports Ecodesign regulations that reduce energy consumption, thereby reducing consumers’ bills, greenhouse gas emissions and increasing our energy security.