Short answer: An abrupt ban is not on the horizon in the near future, but the issue remains in flux due to EU regulations.

There are now several reports about the ban on projector lamps that are very often not entirely accurate or completely exaggerated. For example, it was falsely claimed in the past that everything would be over by January 2026 – such reports belong in the realm of fake news.

Therefore, we would like to bring some clarity here.

At its core, this issue concerns the EU Mercury Regulation (EU) 2017/852 and the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU.

• For certain older lamp types (including those with less than 2000 lumens), the previous exemptions expired in spring 2025. In practice, however, this affects very few, mostly already very old projector models.

• The European Lighting Industry Association, which includes major manufacturers such as Philips and Osram, has applied to the EU for comprehensive deadline extensions for the remaining professional and traditional projector lamps.

What is the current situation?

As long as the European Commission has not made a final new regulation regarding the applied exemptions, an interim arrangement generally applies to applications submitted on time, so that the lamps remain available on the market for the time being.

The next major official milestone concerns lamps with more than 2000 lumens, for which previous deadlines were set for February 2027. Since the wheels of Brussels are notoriously slow and negotiations on the extensions are complex, delays are to be expected here as well. Even if a final ban were to be enacted in the coming years, EU directives still provide for transitional sell-off periods (usually 1 year after entry into force).

What does this mean?

• All-clear for the near future: Nobody needs to panic that there will suddenly be no replacement lamps available for their projector overnight. Market supply is secured.
• No ban on use: It is important to emphasize that – should it ever come to pass – this is an import and manufacturing ban, not a ban on selling or using existing projectors for end customers.
• Industry precautions: Should an actual import ban emerge in the future, manufacturers, suppliers, and we as dealers will stock up accordingly in good time.
• As soon as there are more concrete and binding decisions from Brussels on this matter, we will naturally inform our customers in due course.