News of the impending ban on opaque incandescent light bulbs has been rife but have you got your facts right and how do you plan to adapt your range?
In accordance with the EU ban, from September 1, opaque incandescent light bulbs can no longer be manufactured or imported into the UK.

Any bulbs already in stock or stored in warehousing in the EU after this date can continue to be sold, as they are already deemed to have been 'placed on the market' before the regulation deadline.

A number of leading retailers opted for a voluntary ban in January this year and ceased stocking 100-watt and 75-watt incandescent bulbs. Panic buying ensued from consumers who were unwilling to give up the traditional bulb and embrace the replacement compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

Similar scenes have been reported in Germany, where people are so sceptical about the new low energy lamps that they have been stockpiling incandescent bulbs. In fact, sales of the traditional lamps rose 34% in the first half of 2009.

Larger retailers appear to have taken the lead, with B&Q announcing that it is to double its range of low energy lighting from September 14 in response to the EU's ban on opaque incandescent bulbs.

The DIY chain's extended One Planet Home range will include a dimmable energy efficient bulb and is part of the company's commitment to phasing out traditional incandescent light bulbs by 2011.

According to recent figures, low energy light bulbs are reported to use 80% less energy than a traditional bulb, saving homeowners as much as £37 a year.

The next incandescent model to be phased out as part of the Government's proposed timetable will be the 60-watt A-shaped bulb. Participating retailers are asked to stop selling these bulbs by January 2010.

Further information is available from The Lighting Association, Dencon and the BHF Group.