Fluorescent tubes (T8 and T5) – ban

From August 2023, retailers in the EU will only be allowed to sell remaining stocks of conventional T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes. After that, these can only be purchased as LED tubes. This is intended to further reduce the mercury contained in the old tubes and promote the use of environmentally friendly LED lamps.


EU Directive: RoHS

The EU RoHS Directive (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic Equipment) regulates the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. This also includes fluorescent tubes and other lamps containing mercury. For some years now, electronic devices have no longer been allowed to contain mercury.

The ban on mercury in compact fluorescent lamps without ballasts has been in place since February 25, 2023. From August 25, 2023, linear T8 and T5 lamps with mercury content may no longer be manufactured. However, remaining stocks of these lamps and tubes may still be sold and used.


Ban on mercury in lamps in accordance with RoHS:

From February 25, 2023:

  • Ban on compact fluorescent lamps without integrated ballast
  • Ban on circular fluorescent lamps T5

This will apply from August 25, 2023 :

  • Ban on linear fluorescent lamps T5 and T8. The T5 tubes have a diameter of around 15 millimeters. T8 tubes have a diameter of 25 millimeters.

The following regulation will apply from September 1, 2023 :

Ban on most models of permitted halogen lamps in accordance with the Ecodesign Regulation. LED retrofit lamps are recommended as a replacement.

Examples of exemptions from RoHS bans in 2023:

There are certain exemptions from the lamp bans under the RoHS regulations for some types of lamps that may continue to be produced and sold:

  • Compact fluorescent lamps
  • certain lamps for emergency and signal lighting
  • UV lamps, UV emitters (> 2mW/klm)
  • Plant and insect lamps
  • Stage and studio lighting
  • Special lamps for street lighting
  • Lamps for ovens (up to 300 degrees Celsius)
  • R7s type halogen rods
  • Narrow beam light sources (< 10 degrees)
  • Infrared light sources (except R7s in existing lengths)
  • UV lamps (> 2mW/klm)


LED lamps as an alternative

Compared to conventional lamps such as mercury-containing fluorescent tubes and light bulbs, LED lamps offer numerous advantages.

Advantages of LED lamps and LED tubes:

  • High energy efficiency – they consume much less energy
  • Low energy costs
  • Environmentally friendly and free from pollutants
  • High luminous flux, even at low temperatures
  • Immediate flicker-free start
  • Long service life of several years
  • Different light intensities and color temperatures (warm white, cool white and colorful)
  • Often suitable for individual control of light intensity using sensors

LED tubes are very energy efficient. They consume up to 80% less energy than conventional light bulbs. This is due to the semiconductors in the light-emitting diodes, which produce bright and clear light. They also contain no pollutants that are harmful to the environment or health. Thanks to the energy savings and the associated lower operating costs, the purchase generally pays for itself within a few years.


Disposal of old fluorescent tubes

Fluorescent tubes with harmful mercury content are considered hazardous waste. They should therefore be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. They often contain PCBs in the capacitors and are therefore contaminated with pollutants. So that they can be disposed of correctly as hazardous waste, they should be handed in at municipal disposal points, recycling centers, collection points or in electrical stores and retail outlets.


Sources:

Image source: 123rf.com © nongpriya, image no. 62345018

www.dguv.de/ifa/praxishilfen/innenraumarbeitsplaetze/chemische-einwirkungen/quecksilber/index.jsp

www.dguv.de/medien/ifa/de/pub/rep/pdf/reports2013/innenraumarbeitsplaetze/kapitel_12_4_5.pdf

www.licht.de/de/lichtthemen/lampenausstieg/zeitplan-fuer-den-ausstieg

www.lightcycle.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2022/ade-leuchtstofflampen-ausphasung-von-konventionellen-lampen-in-2023

www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/wirtschaft-konsum/produkte/oekodesign/oekodesign-richtlinie#der-weg-zur-durchfuhrungsmassnahme

www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article243385847/EU-Verbot-Bei-diesen-Lampen-geht-2023-das-Licht-aus.html

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quecksilber

https:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/light-tube