2012 Lighting Legislation

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The U.S. Department of Energy has announced energy-efficiency legislation that will impact the manufacture of several types of bulbs and lamps. The legislation goes into effect on July 14, 2012 for fluorescent and PAR lamps. After this date, most T12 and many PAR lamps will no longer be manufactured. The legislation will not affect T8 lamps until 2014. Learn More About the Lighting Legislation

• Incandescent A19 Lighting Legislation

The standard A19 incandescent bulb can no longer be manufactured for sale in the U.S. based on the following schedule*:

Rated Lumens	Typical Current Lamp Wattage	Maximum Rate Wattage	Minimum Rated Lifetime	Effective Date	California Effective Date
1490-2600	100	72	1,000 hours	1/1/2012	1/1/2011
1050-1489	75	53	1,000 hours	1/1/2013	1/1/2012
750-1049	60	43	1,000 hours	1/1/2014	1/1/2013
310-749	40	29	1,000 hours	1/1/2014	1/1/2013

Retailers and distributors may still sell these bulbs until their inventory is exhausted. Lamp manufacturers may also sell off their existing inventory. Consumers may continue to use existing incandescent bulbs.

Most specialty and decorative lighting sources are not regulated and will continue to be sold.

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• Reflector Legislation

In addition, all incandescent R20, R30, R40, BR30, BR40, and BPAR reflector bulbs must meet halogen efficiency levels except:

• Lamps rated at 50 watts or less that are ER30, BR30, BR40, or ER40           
• Lamps rated at 65 watts that are BR30, BR40 or ER40
• R20 incandescent reflector lamps rated 45 watts or less

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• Linear Fluorescent and Halogen Legislation

The Department of Energy announced new efficiency standards for linear and U-shaped fluorescent lamps and halogen PAR lamps. The new standard will become effective on July 14, 2012 and will implement lumens per watt (LPW) regulations for linear fluorescent and halogen PAR lamps.

The new regulations will affect the following fluorescent and halogen bulbs*:

• All standard 4-foot T12 bulbs eliminated
• Most 8-foot T12 bulbs eliminated
• Some 4-foot T8 bulbs eliminated
• All standard halogen PAR38, PAR30, PAR20 bulbs within the 40 watt – 205 watt standard eliminated
• No changes for T5 bulbs

Learn more

Energy-Efficient Lighting Replacement Options

Grainger offers a wide selection of energy-efficient bulbs to replace those that are being phased out by the new regulations. Choose from the following types:

Lighting Calculators

Lighting Energy Resources

• Energy Efficiency Rebates (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency)
• Energy Star Products on Grainger.com®
• 2007 EISA Legislation (Energy and Independence Security Act)
• Grainger Energy Services (Turnkey energy solutions from Grainger)
• Solid State Lighting (U. S. Department of Energy)

† Source: GE Lighting

* There are exclusions to each of these regulations. The regulation dates are when the products can no longer be manufactured. Inventory built prior to the cut-off date can still be sold. Information is subject to change.