Minister Gormley amends light bulb proposal following acceleration of EU plans
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley T.D.,
has today (26 January 09) announced changes to proposals for the phasing out of lightbulbs
in Ireland.
Inspired by the plans from Ireland and other Member States the European Commission has
accelerated its proposals in relation to an EU-wide phasing out of incandescent lightbulbs,
which will now begin in September this year. Ireland will now also commence the phase-out process from September 1.
The Minister has been informed that the ambition and scope of the new EU proposal was influenced
by plans in Ireland and a small number of other European countries to move forward with their own
light bulb initiatives.
Following careful analysis of the Commission' proposal, Minister Gormley believes it to be similar
in scope and ambition to that proposed in Ireland. The Minister has also consulted with international
environmental groups who had been campaigning for the lightbulb ban to ensure that the EU proposal meets
the demands of climate change advocates.
"If introduced as they are proposed, the proposed regulations will eliminate the need for Ireland
to introduce its own minimum standards.Therefore I am writing to all Irish and Green MEPs urging
them to support the Commission proposal at Parliament when it is debated in the coming weeks".
"I am heartened by the role Ireland has had in leading the way on this initiative, and I commend the
European Commission for the proactive approach it has taken in adopting a much more ambitious phasing-out
process than that mooted when Ireland began formulating its own proposals".
Ireland was one of the first countries in the world to bring forward an energy efficiency standard for
light bulbs, and similar proposals have been developed elsewhere. In October last, Minister Gormley launched
a consultation paper on the introduction of an energy efficiency standard for light bulbs. Last month the
European Commission published plans for an EU-wide initiative over the coming years (the draft Commission
Regulation implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to
ecodesign requirements for non-directional household lamps). It proposes to phase out incandescent bulbs
starting in September 2009 and ending in 2012. The next steps in the EU legislative process involves scrutiny
by the European Parliament, prior to adoption by the Commission in March 2009.
Minister Gormley acknowledged that while the Commission proposal is slightly later in terms of commencing
the phase-out process - September 1st as opposed to June 1st in Ireland's original proposal - its overall
scope is much broader than expected. "It is, in my view, a very positive step for the EU and I'm satisfied
that, if adopted and implemented as proposed, it obviates the need for any national measures either
proposed, taken or under consideration in Member States, including the Irish proposal".
The Minister and his department have been in ongoing contact with the Commission on the proposals, and
stressed the importance such an initiative could have in terms of a positive impact on reducing consumers'
lighting bills and reducing emissions across the European Union.
Commenting on Ireland's role, Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen
said: "Ireland, through taking a leadership role on the issue of lightbulbs, has shown again the influence it
can bring to bear within the European Union. In particular the Irish plans prompted the Commission to
pursue a much more ambitious EU-wide approach for the phasing out of energy inefficient lighting".
Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs in referring to the Commission's proposal said, "This groundbreaking
measure delivers a clear message about the EU's commitment to reach its energy efficiency and climate
protection targets. By replacing last century lamps by more performant technologies, European homes will
keep the same quality of lighting,while saving energy, CO2 and money".