You're correct - traditional light bulbs are being phased out under an EU and Government led initiative. The plan should help cut carbon dioxide emissions by five million tonnes a year. While we believe we're acting responsibly - and helping customers to save energy and money with energy saving light bulbs, we also appreciate that they are not to everyone's tastes and some people including yourself, don't want - or like the energy saving light bulbs that are available.
The Energy Saving Trust advises: "The European Commission has recently adopted new regulations which will mean that inefficient light bulbs will be phased out across the European Union. However the UK is already one year ahead, thanks to the voluntary phase out initiative. The Government, energy suppliers and some major UK retailers are leading a voluntary initiative to phase out traditional light bulbs from the domestic market by 2011, where there is a suitable replacement. Retailers have already stopped replenishing suppliers of bulbs with an energy rating of higher than 100W. Bulbs with an energy rating of higher than 60W started being phased out in January 2009. From January 2010 all traditional bulbs with an energy rating higher than 40W will be phased out. Finally all remaining 40W and 25W A-shape GLS bulbs as well as 60W GLS candles and golf balls will be phased out in 2011. The initiative is estimated to save over 3 billion kgs CO2 per year by 2012."
For more information, visit DEFRA at defra.gov.uk/environment/business/ products/lightbulbs.htm
