2026 Update on RoHS Exemptions for UV Fluorescent Lamps in Insect Light Traps

Are UV fluorescent lamps used in electronic insect light traps going to be banned after 2027?

Many people are seeing confusing or alarmist headlines online - but the truth about RoHS exemptions for insect light trap lamps is more positive and more technical than that.

This updated guidance clarifies the situation based on recent industry insights, including expert commentary from Signify (formerly Philips), a global lighting leader.

What Is RoHS and Why Does It Matter for UV Fluorescent Lamps

RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, an EU regulation restricting certain harmful materials in electrical and electronic equipment. It was first adopted in 2003 and came into force in 2006.

In the lighting industry, the substance of greatest interest has been mercury - which is present in many fluorescent lamps.

However, not all fluorescent lamps are treated the same under RoHS.

Special Applications vs. White Light Lighting

In 2023, the EU implemented a ban on white light fluorescent lamps because LED replacements had reached high market penetration (approx. 80–85%).

That ban does NOT apply to fluorescent lamps used for special applications, including:

• UVA lamps for electronic fly killers (insect light traps)
• UV curing and industrial processes
• Medical and therapeutic UV lamps
• UVC lamps for disinfection and purification
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These special uses are specifically recognised by RoHS and treated as exempt - for now.

What Counts as a “Special Application”?

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RoHS recognises specific types of light sources based on the part of the UV spectrum they address:

🔹 UVA (400–320 nm)

Used in:

- Insect light traps (electronic fly killers)

- Industrial UV curing (printing, coatings)

- Some manufacturing processes (e.g., contact lenses)

🔹 UVB

Used in:

- Medical treatments (e.g., psoriasis therapy)

- Some specialized therapeutic applications

🔹 UVC (290–200 nm)

Used for:

- Air, water, and surface purification

Because these uses fall outside typical visible lighting, they are defined as “special applications” under RoHS, and exemptions exist specifically for them.

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How RoHS Exemptions Work - and What the 2027 Date Means

Key point: February 2027 is not a ban date.

It’s a scheduled review date for existing RoHS exemption categories.

RoHS exemptions are granted for a fixed review period (typically five years). The 2027 timeline simply reflects the expiry of the current review period for special UV lamp categories.

But here’s the important part:

➡️ The lighting industry has already submitted an exemption renewal request.

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What Happens Next?

Under RoHS rules:

• An exemption request triggers an automatic 12–18 month review period.
• During this review period, the exemption remains in force - meaning the lamps continue to be legally manufactured and sold.
• That effectively extends availability into late 2028 and beyond while the review is underway.

There’s also strong industry momentum to extend these exemptions further, potentially up to 2032 or later, based on market readiness and technical feasibility.

As Stuart Dell highlighted during the webinar:

“The date of February 2027 is purely a date for review, not a date for a ban. Once the lighting industry submits exemption requests, the EU allows 12–18 months to review, during which there is no ban.”

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Why a Complete Ban Isn’t Likely Yet

The EU considers several factors before banning a lamp type:

• LED availability and market penetration: For white light, LED adoption reached 80–85% before the 2023 ban. In the UVA insect trap market, penetration is currently below 15%.
• Sustainability and waste prevention: Any ban must avoid creating unnecessary waste by requiring the replacement of perfectly functional lamps.
• Applicability across all special use cases: UVA, UVB, and UVC applications each have unique technical requirements. For example, full-body UVB treatments require around 1.4 kW of UVB energy - currently impractical with LEDs.

According to Stuart Dell:

“If you just take market penetration as a number the EU will look at, we’ve got a long way to go… The next review could even granularise categories, potentially extending UVA fluorescent exemptions to 2037.”

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What This Means for Food Safety and Pest Control Professionals

For businesses using insect light traps, this is reassuring news. Fluorescent lamps remain available for now, and planning for the switch to LED can be done strategically over time. Understanding the exemption process allows you to make informed decisions without being misled by oversimplified headlines.

Key takeaways:

1. Fluorescent lamps for insect light traps are not banned in 2027.
2. Exemption requests by the lighting industry extend availability until at least late 2028, with possible further extensions.
3. LED replacement for special applications is ongoing but not yet widespread, so bans are unlikely in the short term.
4. Businesses can plan their lighting upgrades strategically, ensuring compliance without unnecessary disruption.

For further reading, you can review:

Lighting Europe statement on RoHS exemptions – May 2025

Defra policy implementation review – early 2025

Understanding the RoHS exemption process allows you to take control of your lighting strategy and ensure compliance in food production environments while avoiding unnecessary disruption or panic about bans that are not imminent.

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Need Advice on Compatibility? Get in Touch

We’ll continue to monitor RoHS developments and provide updates as soon as they’re available. In the meantime, fluorescent UV-A lamps remain a secure and compliant choice, and Opti-Catch is here to support you.

If you’re considering a switch to LED but are unsure whether your current traps are compatible with Opti-Catch retrofit lamps, contact us today – our team will be happy to advise and ensure you have the right solution for your business.