The projected savings are roughly equivalent to the electricity consumption of Romania, or of 11 million European households.  It is also the equivalent of the yearly output of 10 power stations of 500 megawatts, and will lead to a reduction of about 15 million tons of CO2 emission per year, EC claims.

"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", said Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.

The regulation targets lamps typically used in households (in particular incandescent lamps, halogen lamps and compact fluorescent lamps) by setting minimum energy efficiency and functionality requirements.

The regulation takes into account consumer expectations in terms of aesthetics, functionality and health concerns. It progressively removes incandescent bulbs from the market in a way that, according to the Commission, allows manufacturers to adapt their production.

Consumers will still have the choice between long-life compact fluorescent lamps that currently yield the highest energy savings (up to 75% less energy than incandescent lamps), or efficient halogen lamps that are fully equivalent to incandescent bulbs in terms of light quality, providing between 25% and 50% energy savings.

”We would have liked to see a quicker phase-out of the so-called C-class halogen lamps”, said Nils Borg, Executive Director of the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.  ”In cases where a compact fluorescent lamp is not suitable, the C class halogens are offered as a mandatory alternative. They only save about 25 percent compared to a standard incandescnt, whereas a so-called B-class halogen will save 50 percent of the electricity. We don’t see the point in waiting until 2016. Eight years is a very long time”.

The regulation will now be scrutinised by the European Parliament. It is scheduled for formal adoption by the Commission in March 2009. The regulation is only one of the Eco-design measures that will be adopted by the Commission over the coming months, targeting many more products such as consumer electronics, white goods or heating appliances.

Euroepan Commission pages on eco-design

Technical briefing from the European Commission (pdf)

eceee press release and report on B Class Halogens