RoHS Directive ban – are you prepared?

With revisions to the RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) coming into force this year, Mike Collins, Director of Operations at Ovia, looks at the implications of the ban on fluorescent lamps for contractors and wholesalers.

The EU published its review of RoHS exemptions on mercury containing lamps on 24 February 2022 in the Official Journal of the European Union. In accordance with the amended RoHS directive, compact fluorescent lamps with plug-in bases and all T5/T8 fluorescent lamps may no longer be placed on the market in the EU as of the dates outlined in this article below.

Our industry then awaited confirmation of the UK timetable, and on 30 January 2023, DEFRA published the Secretary of State’s determination applicable to England, Scotland and Wales on the government’s website. The lamp-type exemptions mirror the EU, but with extended implementation timescales as outlined below.

The EU phase-out date for all compact fluorescent lamps with plug-in base (CFLni) is 24 February 2023, with a GB phase out date of 1 February 2024

The EU phase out date for all T5 and T8 (2ft, 4ft and 5ft) fluorescent lamps in ring form is 24 August 2023, with a GB phase out date of 1 February 2024 for T5s and 1 September 2023 for T8s. T8 fluorescent lamps in other lengths have an EU phase date of 24 August 2023, with a GB phase out date of 1 February 2024.

The above lamps cannot be placed on the market from the stated dates; however they may still be available from suppliers until stocks are exhausted and the industry has been planning to navigate these changes. The focus for alternative light sources is currently on LEDs as they offer decisive advantages compared to fluorescent lamps.

Ovia has been working with its customers to facilitate a smooth transition to alternative lighting luminaires to ensure they have the stocks needed to meet the ongoing demand from contractors, designers and specifiers. Ovia has an LED replacement for virtually every lamp type and with the company’s commercial and utility ranges, there are ideal alternatives to the phased-out products.

As far as the compact fluorescent lamps with plug-in base are concerned, the following Ovia downlights from the commercial range will make ideal alternatives – Sprite commercial aluminium LED downlight, E-Sprite Eco commercial LED downlight, Polypanel LED recessed downlight, Alupanel LED IP44 recessed downlight and Inceptor Apto LED adaptable downlight with CTA Switch.

LED Luminaires from the Ovia utility range that would be recommended as alternatives to the T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps include the Inceptor Duo up and down dimmable linear luminaire, Inceptor U-Lite compact, non-corrosive luminaire, Inceptor B-Lite linear batten multi-current LED light, and Inceptor A-Lite 4ft and 5ft College LED linear batten.

One thing is certain, the RoHS ban on inefficient light sources will result in the increased availability of energy-efficient alternatives. This, in turn, will ultimately help to reduce energy consumption and costs both in domestic and commercial environments.