The environment Committee has effectively approved plans to phase out incandescent light-bulbs by 2012, after it voted against a proposal which sought to block the move. Liberal MEP Holger Krahmer and EPP-ED MEP Anja Weisgerber had drawn up a resolution opposing plans proposed by the Eco-design regulatory Committee to move to more efficient lighting, on the grounds that such legislative proposals should not be regulatory Committee procedures. However MEPs voted against the resolution by a margin of 44 against and only 14 in favour.

The Commission had originally proposed to replace incandescent light-bulbs with more energy-saving lights or halogen bulbs by 2012 in December 2008, under the eco-design directive. This directive, which had been adopted by Parliament and Council in 2005, sets minimum energy-efficiency and functionality standards for products including consumer electronics, household and heating appliances.

According to the Commission the potential savings of such a move will be substantial, both environmentally and economically. Reductions of up to 15 million tonnes of CO2 per year could be made, equivalent to the yearly output of around ten 500-watt power stations, whilst individual households will save between €25-50 per year on electricity bills, freeing up €5-10 billion annually for the EU economy.

The Parliament will now have until 15 March to oppose the plans.