Argentina joins light bulb banning movement

Argentina has become the latest country to ban incandescent light bulbs, passing regulations late last year that will effectively prohibit the sale and import of inefficient bulbs from the end of 2010.

Under the legislation, incandescent bulbs for residential use will be banned from import or commercialisation, although the government has reserved the right to allow exceptions to the rule for "technical, functional and operative reasons ".

The new rules also give the government power to introduce new measures and incentives to promote the development, manufacture and use of new energy-efficient bulbs such as CFLs, halogen lamps and LEDs.

Argentina now joins the EU, Canada and Australia in moving to ban incandescent bulbs, and becomes one of the first emerging economies to take the step.

Such bans have attracted criticism in some quarters – not least from the UK's Daily Mail – which claims that energy-efficient bulbs generate poorer light than traditional bulbs and can present health risks.

Supporters of the bulbs counter that any health risks are minimal and argue that they cut energy use by between 30 and 40 per cent, saving users about £80 on their energy bills over the life of a bulb.