The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications’ (NRCS) Electro-Technical Business Unit states all systems are a go for the second phase of South Africa’s light bulb ban.
The NRCS’s ban on electric lamps mainly for lighting with a luminous efficiency of less than 90 lumens per watt (lm/W) came into force in May 2025, and the second phase is scheduled for 23 May 2026.
The second phase raises the minimum luminous efficiency to 105 lm/W, expanding the ban on less efficient light bulbs available in South Africa.
“Yes, the business unit is ready for Phase Two,” the NRCS told MyBroadband. “In line with the published regulation, this phase will raise the minimum efficacy requirement from 90 lm/W to 105 lm/W.”
This means the 105 lumens will apply to new products entering the market, which were not previously approved in phase one.
It added that it expects a large influx of Letters of Authority (LoA) from companies seeking accreditation for their light bulb products to be sold legally in South Africa.
“A LoA is a regulatory approval certificate issued by the NRCS for products that meet the requirements of the relevant compulsory specifications,” the NRCS said.
It explained that manufacturers and importers must first apply for and obtain an LOA to confirm that products meet safety and, where applicable, energy efficiency requirements before selling them.
LoAs usually remain valid for three years and must be renewed prior to expiry. The NRCS stated it reviewed evidence of conformity before issuing the letters.
It stated, 'If conditions of issuance are not met or maintained, the NRCS may suspend or revoke the approval.'
The NRCS’s Electro-Technical Business Unit intends to collaborate closely with government agencies to identify and eliminate non-compliant electrical products from the local market.
“These include, but are not limited to, non-compliant lighting products, electrical cables, plugs and adapters, household appliances, power tools, and other regulated electrical and electronic equipment,” it said.
End of an era for light bulbs in South Africa
The initial phase of South Africa’s new light bulb rules effectively banned most compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and incandescent bulbs available in retailers’ stores.
Former trade and industry minister Ibrahim Patel announced new light bulb regulations in May 2024, setting a 12-month deadline before the first phase is implemented.
The first phase, which established a minimum luminous efficiency threshold of 90 lm/W, took effect on 23 May 2025.
According to the department, the regulations aim to improve safety, performance, and energy efficiency.
Savvy Savers managing director Grant Pattison welcomed the new regulations, describing the ban on less efficient bulbs as a sensible and clear move.
He said households that switch from incandescent and CFL bulbs to light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will immediately see cost savings.
Pattison explained that incandescent lighting consumes about ten times more power than LED lighting, while CFLs use roughly twice as much as LEDs.
Therefore, households that switch to LEDs will also decrease the size requirements for rooftop solar power systems, helping households lessen their dependence on grid power.
Moreover, Pattison stated that the new regulations will make shopping for new light bulbs easier for many South Africans, as there will essentially be “one version of everything”.
If you browse the aisles of DIY or lighting shops, the light bulb section is enormous. You’ve got the choice of incandescents, all with the same fittings that you find in the CFL sections,” Pattison said.
And then you’ve got a vast range of options in LEDs. So that category has expanded in varieties, stock holdings, and complexity.
Pattison said the new regulations will also greatly help reduce harmful waste in South Africa. He explained that CFLs contain mercury and can pose a risk if disposed of improperly.
LEDs are fairly simple in comparison. He described them as containing small chips, adding that many devices with small chips are frequently discarded.
