From tomorrow, the 100-watt incandescent bulbs that have been the gold-standard of illumination for more than a century, will become contraband, together with all traditional frosted and pearlescent bulbs.The long-heralded EU ban, invoked (naturally) in the name of environmental correctness, comes into force this week, meaning that anyone found importing or selling these ‘illegal’ bulbs will face criminal charges.
This is merely the first step in a process that, from September 2011, will see clear-glass versions of 60W incandescent bulbs similarly outlawed, followed by a full ban on all ‘traditional’ bulbs from September 2012.
Nor is this just some awkward bit of red tape that can be safely ignored by the majority, while the authorities turn a blind eye.
Any retailer who fails to uphold the ban can be shopped to the authorities and face a hefty fine and criminal record.
Given the behaviour of some eco-zealots, one can all too easily imagine this happening.
Look forward in the coming months to tales of hapless market traders and back-street electricians being snitched upon by righteous green activists and hauled off to the courts as if they were heroin dealers.
No doubt there will soon be armies of light-bulb enforcement officers recruited to police the ban, to join the legions of Europe’s jobzillas. (Daily Mail)
