June 24, 2024
Canada's Fluorescent Lamp Ban to Start in 2026
Screw-based CFL ban begins in 2026; ban on most mercury-containing fluorescent and HID lamps by 2030
After many years of policy-making, Canada has announced that it will phase out most common fluorescent lamps containing mercury by the end of the decade, with the first phase of prohibitions set for January 1, 2026. This initiative, led by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), a department of the Government of Canada responsible for coordinating environmental policies and programs, is framed as part of the nation's commitment to reducing mercury pollution in line with its obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
These regulations mirror similar legislation enacted in nine U.S. states, where environmental and health concerns over mercury have driven similar bans. A tenth state, Illinois, is poised to join the movement, with legislation passing through both state houses and sent to Governor J.B. Pritzker on Friday for his signature. Unlike the U.S. approach of state-by-state regulations, Canada's ban is a sweeping national mandate, ensuring the phase-out of most fluorescent lamps across all provinces by the end of the decade.
The new regulations will prohibit the manufacture and import of several types of fluorescent lamps widely used for general lighting. These include screw-base and pin-base compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and various straight fluorescent lamps. Additional lamp types, such as high-pressure sodium vapor lamps and metal halide lamps, will be phased out by the end of 2028. The phase-out reflects advancements in mercury-free alternatives, such as LED lighting, which offer improved energy efficiency and lower environmental impact.
Canada's Timeline for Fluorescent Phase-Out
| Lamps | Start of the prohibition for import and manufacture of lamps | Exemption period for the import and manufacture of replacement lamps | Start date for the prohibition on selling lamps |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Screw-base compact fluorescent lamp |
January 1, 2026 |
None |
None |
|
Pin-based compact fluorescent lamp |
January 1, 2026 |
From January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027 |
January 1, 2030 |
|
Straight fluorescent lamp |
January 1, 2026 |
From January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027 |
January 1, 2030 |
|
Non-linear fluorescent lamp |
January 1, 2026 |
From January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027 |
January 1, 2030 |
The immediate impact will be on screw-based compact fluorescent lamps, which will be phased out over the next 18 months.
The exemption period appears broadly defined, allowing manufacturers a two-year transition where pin-base CFLs, straight fluorescent lamps, and non-linear fluorescent lamps can still be manufactured and imported as replacements for existing fixtures. Retailers will have until December 31, 2029, to cease selling pin-based fluorescent lamps.
Affected Lamp Types
The regulation targets several categories of fluorescent lamps, detailing specific types and their phase-out schedules:
Screw-base Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) for General Lighting Purposes:
- These commonly used lamps will be prohibited from manufacturing and importation by December 31, 2025. These CFLs are often used in residential settings due to their screw-base compatibility with standard light fixtures. Replacement lamps can be manufactured and imported during the exemption period from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027. After this, the sale of these replacement lamps will be prohibited by 2029.
Pin-base Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) for General Lighting Purposes:
- Similarly, pin-base CFLs will also face prohibition from manufacturing and importation by December 31, 2025. These are frequently used in commercial lighting applications due to their specific pin configurations. Replacement lamps can be manufactured and imported during the exemption period from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027. The sale of replacement lamps will be prohibited by 2029.
Straight Fluorescent Lamps for General Lighting Purposes:
- T5 Lamps:
- T5 lamps with a normal lifetime (< 25,000 hours) and long lifetime (≥ 25,000 hours) will no longer be allowed to be manufactured or imported after December 31, 2025. Replacement lamps are allowed during the exemption period, ending December 31, 2027, with sales prohibited by 2029.
- T8 Lamps:
- This includes 1.22 m (4-foot) T8 lamps, both with normal lifetime (< 25,000 hours) and long lifetime (≥ 25,000 hours). These lamps are commonly used in office and industrial environments and will face the same phase-out schedule as T5 lamps.
- T12 Lamps:
- The prohibition covers 1.22 m (4-foot) T12 lamps and 2.44 m (8-foot) T12 lamps. For 1.22 m T12 lamps, both halo phosphate phosphor (10 mg per lamp) and tri-band phosphor (5 mg per lamp) types are affected. For 2.44 m T12 lamps, lamps with halo phosphate phosphor ≤ 40 W (10 mg per lamp) and tri-band phosphor < 60 W (5 mg per lamp) will also be phased out. Any other T12 lamps with different phosphor types will be prohibited if they contain mercury. The same exemption and sales prohibition dates apply.
Non-linear Fluorescent Lamps:
- This includes circular or square fluorescent lamps, which are also targeted for phase-out by December 31, 2025. These lamps are often found in specialty applications and certain architectural lighting. The exemption period allows for replacement lamps to be manufactured and imported until December 31, 2027, with sales prohibited by 2029.
Induction Fluorescent Lamps for General Lighting Purposes:
- Induction fluorescent lamps, known for their long lifetimes and use in high-ceiling applications like warehouses, are included in the prohibition. They will follow the same phase-out schedule, with manufacturing and importation banned by December 31, 2025, an exemption period for replacements until December 31, 2027, and a complete sales prohibition by 2029.
Phase-Out Schedule
The key dates for the phase-out are as follows:
-
December 31, 2025: Prohibition on the manufacturing and importation of the specified fluorescent lamps, including all types mentioned above.
-
January 1, 2026: Start of the exemption period for replacement lamps, allowing a two-year transition where pin-base CFLs, straight fluorescent lamps, and non-linear fluorescent lamps can still be manufactured and imported as replacements for existing fixtures.
-
December 31, 2027: End of the exemption period for replacement lamps, marking the cessation of manufacturing and importation for these replacements.
-
January 1, 2030: Prohibition on the sale of replacement lamps, ensuring a complete phase-out and transition to mercury-free alternatives.
Certain HID lamps affected, too
| Lamps | Start of the prohibition for import and manufacture of lamps | Exemption period for the import and manufacture of replacement lamps | Start date for the prohibition on selling lamps |
|---|---|---|---|
|
High pressure sodium vapor lamp |
January 1, 2029 |
Starting on January 1, 2029 |
None |
|
Metal halide lamp |
January 1, 2029 |
Starting on January 1, 2029 |
None |
The import and manufacture of high-pressure sodium vapor lamps, metal halide lamps, and other HID (high intensity discharge) lamps used for general lighting purposes will be prohibited on December 31, 2028. However, considering the ECCC's assessment that not all existing fixtures have direct mercury-free replacements yet, the amendments will include an exemption for replacement lamps to be used in existing fixtures, with no end date. Similarly, while HID automobile headlamps will be prohibited in 2025, replacement bulbs for existing HID automobile headlamps will be allowed with no end date.
Exceptions:
Special-Purpose Lamps: Lamps that are not intended for general lighting purposes are exempt from the ban. This includes those used in industrial applications, such as UV disinfection, germicidal purposes, or medical therapy. These lamps serve specialized functions that cannot be easily replaced by non-fluorescent alternatives.
Emergency Lighting: Fluorescent lamps used in emergency lighting and emergency signage are exempt. These applications are critical for safety and may require specific lighting characteristics that fluorescent lamps provide.
Phototherapy Lamps: Lamps used for phototherapy treatments, particularly for medical conditions like psoriasis and jaundice, are exempt. These lamps are crucial for certain health treatments and their unique properties are not easily replicated by other lamp types.
Spectrum-Specific Lamps: Certain lamps designed to emit specific wavelengths of light, such as those used in aquarium lighting or plant growth, are exempt. These lamps are essential for applications that require specific light spectra for the health and growth of plants or aquatic life.
Stage and Studio Lamps: Fluorescent lamps used in stage and studio settings are exempt. These lamps often provide specific lighting effects and color temperatures required in professional lighting setups for filming, photography, and theatrical productions.
Transportation Lamps: Lamps used in transportation applications, such as those in trains and aircraft, are exempt. These lamps are critical for specific transportation requirements and safety regulations.
By the end of this phase-out schedule, Canada aims to eliminate the use of mercury-containing fluorescent lamps, significantly reducing environmental mercury pollution and promoting the adoption of safer, more energy-efficient lighting technologies.
