From April 2010 new legislation is scheduled to be introduced by the EU.

The Energy Related Products (ErP) Directive 2009/125/EC will enforce the gradual phase out of the most inefficient industrial lamps.

Lighting accounts for 19% of global energy consumption so it is hoped that the enforcement of the ErP Directive will lead to a saving of 15m tons of CO2 per year.

The section of the Directive that deals with industrial lighting will come into effect in April 2010 and will phase out the most inefficient products over the next few years. Once a product falls under the terms of the directive it will not be legal to sell that product anywhere in the EU.

For example, about 70% of commercial installations use inefficient fluorescent tubes despite greener alternatives being readily available. These modern fluorescent lights offer energy savings as well as excellent light and colour and reduced maintenance.