The EU 2023 changes to legislation prevents ‘non-LED bulbs’ in any older luminaires being changed and in place necessitates complete change of the whole luminaire at higher costs. The only exception to this would be to change to LED tubes keeping the existing luminaire body albeit this is not our recommendation. Any perceived initial cost saving wouldn’t offer the safety, warranty energy reduction, lighting quality improvements, maintenance, or capital allowance benefits of a complete change while often the labour cost is higher than purchasing a replacement.

2011/65/EU RoHS Directive, updated in 2023 and being mirrored in UK effectively bans the sale of all fluorescent & ballast lamps. A UK exemption on many of these was initially put in place but this expired end January 2024, and the ban is now effective from 1st February 2024.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restriction-of-hazardous-substancesrohs-determinations-on-exemption-applications/rohs-exemption-applicationssecretary-of-state-determinations

Technically this ban is at a manufacturing/import level. The EU ban was effective last September and the UK from 1st February so any form of fluorescent lamp, whether T8, T5 or Compact format will no longer be available. (this also applies to all metal halide/SON & halogen format lamps too)

We've been experts in lighting since the beginning of LED technology and part of its evolution to help clients reap the many rewards it can offer. Like many sectors there are good, bad and ugly so don't get caught out and contact us for any advice.