A new law or regulation will be passed across Europe to eliminate new consumer products being manufactured that contain mercury. This regulation is supposed to start on January 1st, 2026. This could impact the manufacturing of new DLP (Digital Light Processing) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) projectors with metal halide and UHP (Ultra High Performance) bulbs for home theatres, offices, and classrooms.
The ban is on all fluorescent lamps that went into action in September 2023, which is the EU’s war on mercury. Mercury or Hg on the periodic table is a harmful metal found in all of the light sources mentioned above.
According to the EU regulation 2023/2049, “Compact fluorescent lamps with an integrated ballast (CFL.i) for general lighting purposes that are ≤ 30 watts with a mercury content not exceeding 2,5 mg per lamp burner,” which will take effect on December 31st, 2025.
However, the new law does not impact the sales of our projector lamps. In February 2024, we spoke with our suppliers, APO, which is an authorized dealer for PHILIPS and OSRAM. Both of these manufacturers confirmed that the regulation (2023/2049) is not relevant you our bulbs.
On January 1st, 2026, according to the EU regulation 2023/2049, there will be a restriction on new sales of mercury-containing products, but it allows for the continued supply of parts, which include projector lamps. EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) products that are already on the market. Epson, Panasonic, Optoma, and many other projector manufacturers are committed to providing projector lamps to existing projector users. This is under these provisions.