On July 14, 2012, Department of Energy (DOE) standards covering many popular incandescent reflector lamps will take effect, eliminating a majority of lamps from the market in favor of more efficient, higher cost alternatives. Demand is expected to shift to infrared-reflecting (IR) halogen reflector lamps, which provide similar performance for less energy, and light-emitting diode (LED) directional replacement lamps.

The road to this phase-out is long. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 began regulating reflector lamps. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 imposed stricter energy standards on a broader range of lamps, including R, PAR, BPAR, BR (BR30, BR40), and ER (ER30, ER40) lamps. Several popular lamps were eliminated, including the 50-watt (W) and 75W R20, 85W BR30, and 120W BR40.

In 2009, the DOE announced energy standards covering 40–205W PAR30, PAR38, BR30, ER30, BR40 and ER40 lamps with a diameter larger than 2 inches, 120-volt (V) or 130V, and standard or modified color output, as well as <2-inch R20 and PAR20 lamps. These standards will eliminate today’s standard halogen PAR lamps in favor of more-efficient alternatives, such as IR halogen technology.