In May 2024, Minnesota became the ninth state to pass legislation banning or restricting fluorescent lamp sales. In doing so, it joined efforts by California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom. Illinois is the 10th state to join the effort after the Clean Lighting Act was passed and sent to Gov. Pritzker to sign in June. Depending on the state, these rules go into effect between 2024 and 2029.

The reason behind these bans is mercury, which is a strong and persistent heavy metal toxic to humans and the environment. The 2013 Minamata Convention called for a reduction in mercury use, with measures including a phase-out and reduction in mercury use in products such as fluorescent lighting. More than 135 countries signed the international treaty, which called for a phase-out of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) by 2025.

Developments by state

Fluorescent lamps contain a small amount of mercury, but it adds up. The Clean Lighting Coalition stated in a March 2022 report that banning all fluorescent lighting would prevent lamps containing a combined total of 8 tons of mercury from being sold and installed through 2050. Replacing this lighting with more efficient LEDs would also reduce an estimated nearly 1,000 pounds of airborne mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants through 2050.

Vermont was the first state to target fluorescent lighting sales. In 2023, the sale of screwbase (e.g., E26) CFLs was prohibited, followed by 4-foot linear fluorescent lamps starting in January 2024.

California followed suit by banning the sale and distribution of CFLs and linear fluorescent lamps up to 8 feet. Screw- and bayonet-base (e.g., GU24) CFLs were prohibited starting Jan. 1, 2024. Pin-based CFLs and linear fluorescent lamps are prohibited starting Jan. 1, 2025.

Oregon and Rhode Island’s timelines restrict the sale of self-ballasted CFLs as of January 2024 and pin-based CFLs and linear fluorescent lamps starting in January 2025.

Colorado passed a law banning the manufacture, distribution, sale and offering for sale of CFLs and linear fluorescent lamps after Jan. 1, 2025.

Hawaii, Maine and Minnesota passed laws prohibiting the sale of new CFL and linear fluorescent lamps. Screw- and bayonet­-base CFLs are restricted starting Jan. 1, 2025, while pin-based CFLs and linear fluorescent lamps are restricted beginning on Jan. 1, 2026.

In Illinois, the bill that passed the legislature prohibits the sale of screw- and bayonet-base CFLs starting Jan. 1, 2026, and pin-based CFLs and linear fluorescent lamps beginning on Jan. 1, 2027.

Washington passed a law prohibiting manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers from knowingly selling CFL or linear fluorescent lamps by Jan. 1, 2029. In-state manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers possessing these lamps may exhaust their inventories through sales until July 1, 2029.

What should contractors know?

Electrical contractors in these states should confirm implementation of restrictions and familiarize themselves with the particulars of the laws. Check what specific lamp types are included. Vermont, for example, targets 4-foot linear lamps, while California targets linear lamps up to 8 feet. Implementation dates should also be confirmed. 

Note that these laws typically include exemptions. California, for example, exempts lamps used for image capture and projection, disinfection, tanning and other specialized medical and scientific uses.

Armed with information, ECs can engage customers about their options. These laws target the manufacture and sale, but not use, of certain fluorescent lamps. 

Owners may continue using them for as long as their maintenance stocks last, but at some point, they will need to begin to transition to the alternatives, which are LED-based. 

LED technology has already been steadily displacing fluorescents due to its advantages in energy efficiency and service life. LEDs also do not contain mercury. The net effect of these rules and laws is to force late adopters in the existing buildings market in these states to switch to LED lighting.

In commercial buildings that must upgrade to LEDs, owners will have a choice of retrofitting existing luminaires with LED replacement lamps or retrofit kits, or installing new luminaires. 

Each approach has its pros and cons. Replacement lamps are regarded as the lower-cost path, while retrofit kits and new luminaires with lighting controls generally optimize energy savings and refresh lighting quality and space appearance.

Overall, these bans are a sign of the times as the lighting world continues to shift to LED, hastened by government policy that considers dollars and cents and the environmental effects of lighting.

For more information, consult the applicable legislation and a favored distributor or manufacturer.

stock.adobe.com / Sergii Chernov