The end of discharge lamps: what the European directive requires of local authorities

The end of discharge lamps is now written into European regulations. Between the Ecodesign regulation applicable to light sources and the RoHS directive on hazardous substances, high-pressure sodium, metal halide and fluorescent tubes are gradually leaving the market. For local authorities, this deadline is not a technical detail: it determines maintenance, the supply of parts and the timetable for switching their public lighting installations to LED.

Two complementary regulations

Two European texts acting in parallel on light sources must be distinguished.

The Ecodesign regulation (SLR)

Regulation (EU) 2019/2020, known as the Single Lighting Regulation (SLR), sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for light sources. Applicable since 1 September 2021, it replaced the old ecodesign regulations. In practice, a source that does not reach the required luminous efficacy threshold (expressed in lm/W) can no longer be placed on the Union market. Many discharge technologies, which are inefficient compared with LED, are eliminated by this threshold.

The RoHS directive on mercury

The RoHS directive limits the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, including mercury. Yet discharge lamps (fluorescent, sodium, metal halide) contain mercury and had until now benefited from exemptions. It is the expiry of these exemptions that has hastened the withdrawal of several families of lamps, sometimes earlier than the SLR alone provided for.

The real deadlines to know

The following dates come from the European texts and from the analyses of the AFE (French Lighting Association). They deserve to be followed closely because they are staggered.

• 25 February 2023: withdrawal from the market of compact fluorescent lamps without integrated ballast (and of certain circular lamps).
• 25 August 2023: end of the placing on the market of T5 and T8 linear fluorescent tubes, following the expiry of the RoHS exemptions.
• 24 February 2027: expected deadline for several exemptions concerning high-intensity discharge lamps, in particular certain high-pressure sodium and metal halide lamps. The AFE has published a dedicated guide entitled "How to manage the end of discharge lamps in 2027 in outdoor lighting".

Important: the ban concerns the placing on the market of new lamps, not their use. A lamp already installed can continue to operate. But as soon as it fails, the municipality risks no longer finding a compatible replacement source. It is this break in supply that creates the urgency.

Remember: France has about 9.5 million public lighting points. Mercury vapour lamps, banned from the market since 2015, still account for a notable share; sodium lamps make up the majority of the remaining installations. LED still covers only a fraction of the whole.

Practical consequences for municipalities

A maintenance risk, not just a regulatory one

The first impact is operational. As stocks of discharge lamps run out, replacing a failed source becomes complicated and costly. A failure on a traffic route column or in a car park will no longer always be repairable like for like. The problem is particularly acute in sports facilities: many municipal gymnasiums, stadiums and pitches are still equipped with metal halide floodlights, whose sources are becoming impossible to find and which are in the front line of equipment to be renovated. Anticipating avoids having to manage this risk in a rush, light point by light point.

Switching to LED as a lasting answer

Renovation with LED meets both the regulatory constraint and the objectives of energy sufficiency. LED luminaires now far exceed the SLR efficacy thresholds, with efficacies of up to 170 to 200 lm/W in the best-performing ranges. They offer a long lifetime (measured in L70/L80), compatibility with control (dimming, night-time reduction) and greatly reduced maintenance. For the lighting of traffic routes and the renovation of installations, the transition is an opportunity to rethink illuminance (lux), uniformity (U0) and the control of light pollution.

To equip this approach, see our solutions dedicated to traffic routes and car parks. A prior photometric study, in DIALux software, makes it possible to size the replacement precisely.

How to plan ahead calmly

Three steps structure a controlled transition. First, an inventory of the installation identifying the discharge sources still in service and their criticality. Next, prioritisation of the sites most exposed to the risk of failure (main roads, safety equipment). Finally, multi-year planning of the replacement, backed by funding schemes. Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) and aid for the renovation of public lighting installations can significantly lighten the investment. This logic of audit then phasing is detailed in our article on LED public lighting renovation in municipalities.

For local authorities wishing to free themselves from connection constraints, autonomous solar public lighting is a complementary option for certain uses.

FAQ

Is the use of discharge lamps banned?

No. The regulations ban the placing on the market of new lamps beyond the set deadlines, not the use of lamps already installed. The practical problem comes from the gradual impossibility of replacing them in the event of failure.

What is the key date for high-pressure sodium and metal halide?

Several RoHS exemptions concerning these high-intensity discharge lamps are expected to expire around 24 February 2027. The AFE recommends that local authorities plan now for the phase-out of these technologies.

What aid is there to fund the switch to LED?

Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) and aid schemes for the renovation of public lighting installations can cover part of the investment. The amount depends on the project and the extent of the savings generated.

Is a study needed before replacing a luminaire?

Yes. A photometric study checks that the LED luminaire chosen meets the illuminance (lux), uniformity (U0) and glare control levels expected for the use, and avoids any under- or oversizing.

Need a photometric study?

The audit and the photometric study are the work of a lighting design office: we recommend the expertise of the Luminance Consulting agency, the lighting design office that contributes to developing our ranges of luminaires based on an in-depth analysis of the needs of the most demanding customers. Luminance carries out the audit of your installation, the DIALux study and the check of compliance with the applicable requirements. Rexylum, for its part, designs and supplies the prescribed luminaires and lighting solutions: for the choice of equipment suited to your project, contact us and plan calmly for the end of discharge lamps.