Are Fluorescent Lights Banned? What This Means for Your Lighting

If you’re wondering “are fluorescent lights banned?”, you’re not alone. With new sustainability regulations and a growing shift toward energy-efficient lighting, many organisations are reassessing their existing systems and planning for the future.

The short answer is: fluorescent lights are being phased out, not instantly removed, and now is the right time to plan the transition.

Why Are Fluorescent Lights Being Phased Out?

Fluorescent lighting has played a major role in commercial, healthcare, custodial and public buildings for decades. However, modern lighting standards have moved on. The phase-out is driven by several key factors:

• Environmental impact: Fluorescent lamps contain mercury, a hazardous substance that poses risks during disposal.
• Energy efficiency: LEDs use significantly less energy and deliver longer lifespans.
• Regulatory changes: Updates to Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) legislation have removed exemptions for many fluorescent lamps.

Together, these changes support safer, lower-carbon lighting across the built environment.

What Fluorescent Lights Are Banned?

Since 2023, many common fluorescent lamps can no longer be manufactured or placed on the market, including:

T5 and T8 linear fluorescent tubes
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)

This means new fluorescent lamps cannot be sold, even though existing installations may still be in use.

Do You Have to Remove Existing Fluorescent Lighting?

No. There is no current requirement to remove or replace fluorescent lights immediately. Existing fittings can continue operating until end of life.

However, replacement lamps are becoming increasingly scarce, leading to:

• Rising maintenance costs
• Increased risk of downtime
• Long-term compliance and sustainability challenges

For many organisations, proactive replacement is the more cost-effective and future-ready approach.

Upgrading to LED Lighting

LED lighting offers a safer, more sustainable alternative to fluorescent systems, with clear benefits:

• Up to 60-70% energy savings
• Longer operational life
• No mercury or hazardous materials
• Improved lighting quality and control
• Lower ongoing maintenance requirements

At Light Years Ahead, we design LED lighting solutions that prioritise performance, compliance and wellbeing, particularly in custodial, mental healthcare, secure and specialist environments.

Understanding whether fluorescent lights are banned is just the starting point. The real opportunity lies in upgrading to lighting that supports efficiency and long-term value.

Whether you’re planning a full refurbishment or a phased upgrade, our team can help you move away from fluorescent lighting with clarity and confidence. If you’d like to discuss more with our expert team, please get in touch using the contact form or emailing info@lightyearsahead.co.uk