EU Phase Out

An overview of the changes due to the EU directive

The European Commission has decided to prohibit the sale of particularly energy-intensive lamps for household use in a series of stages up to 2016. This is good news, not only for the environment, but also for the consumer: energy-saving lamps save money, energy and CO2. Indeed, even today, you have a broad range of OSRAM energy-saving lamps to choose from. So that you know exactly what to expect – here are the most important changes at a glance:

Products due to be prohibited over the long term

Incidentally, spotlamps will not be regulated until a second directive is drawn up at the end of 2009. This will then have to be implemented as of September 2010.

Changes on product names and packaging

In addition the EU directive provides that the term “energy-saving" may only be applied to products with the Energy Level A. In the future, packaging for energy-saving products is to provide information very simply on wattage, energy level, light colour etc. with the help of pictograms. The new directive will also lay down new minimum quality requirements for lamps – to the benefit of the consumer.

The consequences oft he EU directive for the consumer

The new EU directive does not mean that incandescent lamps may no longer be used in the household. It solely regulates retail sales. Anyone still using incandescent lamps at home is not obliged to replace them from 1 September 2009 – even if this would be worthwhile. Energy-efficient products are indeed initially more expensive to buy; however in most cases they already pay off after about a year, due to the substantially lower energy costs.

These products are replacing the traditional incandescent lamp

Primarily you have two product groups to choose from, which you can use as a direct replacement for your incandescent lamp: energy-saving halogen lamps and compact fluorescent lamps. Energy-saving halogen lamps save up to 30 percent energy, compact fluorescent lamps up to 80 percent. Because energy-efficient lamps achieve the same output of light as your former incandescent lamp, using less electricity, you should take note of the new wattages.

Important tips for buying a lamp

Good to know: energy-saving lamps are available in various light colours. The halogen lamps produce 1-to-1 the same light as you are familiar with from your incandescent lamp. Due to the way they function, the modern energy-saving lamps, namely the compact fluorescent lamps, emit a slightly different light than the incandescent lamp does. Therefore when you are buying the lamp, be sure to look out for the message "Light colour: warm white".

ABOUT OSRAM

OSRAM is part of the Industry sector of Siemens and one of the two leading lighting manufacturers in the world. Sales for the OSRAM group worldwide in the year ending September 30, 2008 totaled 4.6 billion euros, 88 percent of which came from outside Germany. OSRAM is a high-tech company in the lighting industry. Over 60 percent of sales come from energy-efficient products. This global player employs more than 43,500 people worldwide, supplies customers in some 150 countries and has 46 production facilities in 17 countries.

Press contact:

OSRAM

Christian Bölling
Tel: +49-89-6213-2597
Fax: +49-89-6213-3457
Email: c.boelling@osram.com

OSRAM

Nadine Kleinert
Tel: +49-89-6213-3769
Fax: +49-89-6213-3457
Email: n.kleinert@osram.com