In a continued effort to improve the energy efficiency of lighting and tackle the ongoing battle to limit climate change, the UK Government is following a similar plan issued by the EU. This comes as a result of changes to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) Directive. This plan removes the most energy and resource-demanding products from the market and bans the use of environmentally hazardous mercury.
As of February 2024, all production and imports of fluorescent tubes into the UK were stopped, in favour of LEDs. This aligns with the goal of achieving 85% of lamps being LED by 2030. The only exemptions from the ban are specialist medical & scientific lamps with no viable alternative. The ban on fluorescent tubes is an important step towards a more efficient and sustainable United Kingdom.
So far, the ban covers T8, compact (CFLs), and T5 fluorescents. The timeline for the continued phase-out looks like this:
- T9 Fluorescent: banned from February 2025
- Halide Lamps: banned from 2027
N.b. These dates are subject to change as new LED products come onto the market, providing viable alternatives.
How will the phase-out affect property managers?
After the phase-out, remaining stocks may be sold off and the use of these fluorescent tubes will continue to be allowed until they are exhausted.
T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes are still common today and can be found in everything from schools and hospitals to commercial properties and public spaces. As many large properties across the United Kingdom still have fluorescent lighting, there is now a high demand. A property’s transition to LED can be time-consuming and labour intensive. Therefore, many property owners will be stocking up to continue with the same lighting for a couple more years.
As existing stocks dwindle, the availability of fluorescent lighting will diminish. For property managers with existing fluorescent lighting, it is important to plan the transition as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of disruption to service. At Gratte Brothers, we can help review your needs and make suggestions for suitable solutions based on your specific requirements. Head over to our contact page to get started on your journey.
