A ban on halogen lamps , which can waste 10 times more energy than LEDs , came into force across Europe on 31 August . A broader ban on LED bulbs will become operational in 2018 . Those bulbs currently in use can be sold , but no new orders can be placed . The first bulbs to be affected will be the GU10 spotlights and the LED floodlights . Low - voltage spotlights and bulbs with an energy rating of B or higher will not be included in the ban . Last month , consumer magazine Which ? In 2013, 154m directional halogen bulbs were sold in Europe, a fifth of the overall 772m halogen bulb market that year. reported that switching to LEDs could cut electricity bills by 90 % .
A ban on halogen lamps , which can waste 10 times more energy than LEDs , came into force across Europe on 31 August . A broader ban on LED bulbs will become operational in 2018 . Those bulbs currently in use can be sold , but no new orders can be placed . The first bulbs to be affected will be the GU10 spotlights and the LED floodlights . Low - voltage spotlights and bulbs with an energy rating of B or higher will not be included in the ban . Last month , consumer magazine Which ? reported that switching to LEDs could cut electricity bills by 90 % .