Coming to a building near you... The T8 and T5 Fluorescent lamps ban

So, what’s it all about?

Well let’s start with the RoHS Directive shall we.

RoHS stands for "Restriction of the use of Hazardous Substances" and to break it down further it is referring to the use of mercury, or within the field of lighting, the mercury used in lamps. Considered to be a hazardous substance it is already banned within electrical or electronic equipment with this ban going full steam ahead into the lighting industry. The exemptions that were in place for T5/T8 fluorescent light bulbs and lamps have been amended and as a result from 2023 only HPD lamps and special purpose lamps are exempt and can be produced for another 3-5 years.

So exactly when will this happen?

The planned ban of placing T8 fluorescent lighting on the market had already been implemented and put into place from September 2023 however these amendments to the RoHS directives now put the end of fluorescent tubes forward slightly to August 25, 2023. To add further clarity at this point, both T8 lamps and T5 fluorescent lamps will be phased out together.

Now let’s talk the EU Green deal

"Climate neutrality is no longer a question of choice, it is beyond doubt a necessity.“

Charles Michel, European Council President, July 2020

Set out by the EU commission in Oct 2020, the Green deal is the EU’s commitment to reducing all GHG emissions (including emissions from buildings) by 55% by 2030. This is a milestone set to aid achieving close to Net Zero GHG emissions by 2050.

Ok so T8/T5 and now the EU Green Deal, what does this mean for your customers?

So back to the phase out of fluorescent lighting.

The ban on inefficient light sources will lead to increased availability of energy-efficient solutions. This will ultimately help to reduce energy costs both at home and in commercial settings.

What this does mean is that for lighting schemes and installed fixtures currently using the soon to be banned halogen or fluorescent lamps, will need new light sources. Although fluorescent light bulbs and lamps may continue to be sold from stock, this supply is limited and relatively quickly there will no longer be a supply with them eventually being withdrawn from circulation.

If we now come back to the EU Green Deal, by 2050 all buildings must comply with Net Zero Emissions. To achieve this, lighting (of buildings) will play a part in the journey with 13% of greenhouse gas emissions coming from the building sector.

Source: McKinsey Dec 2020

So, the T8/T5 ban does offer an opportunity to look at reducing emissions through the implementation of good lighting solutions. The right solutions can contribute to the ability to monitor and maintain a low carbon or net zero carbon building

Where do we go from here?

At present around 40 percent of all companies are currently still using T8 fluorescent lamps. Coupled with the T5 ban these companies will have to change over the equipment of the lamps in the operating facilities accordingly in good time to account for purchasing and installation times.

It’s obvious to say but planning and preparing early is key.

As individual light sources are gradually banned, early planning is essential. It is worthwhile, both in terms of price and electricity costs, to switch to energy-efficient light sources as soon as possible.

Preparing the switch in good time can help to mitigate against rising costs, put simply that those who plan and implement the switch to more energy-efficient alternatives now will save more energy, just by switching to LED it’s possible to reduce energy consumption by nearly 50% and get a return on your investment within two years.

At Thorn Lighting we have a team of experts ready to work with you to achieve just that. As well as replacing your existing T8/T5 Fluorescent lighting we can work to offer lighting solutions that work to help to achieve a net zero carbon building.