The last phase of China’s incandescent bulb ban will be effective as of Sept. 30, 2016. China will ban the imports and sales of 15W and above general incandescent bulbs Starting from Oct. 1, 2016, and will make adjustments based on interim evaluation results, reported Yicai Global.

China’s National Development and Reform Commission first announced the country’s incandescent bulb phase out roadmap on Nov. 14, 2011.

Progress of China’s incandescent bulb roadmap has reached an important period, where the country’s government agencies will issue a new policy that will clarify future incandescent bulb phase out procedures.

China’s LED luminaire costs have tumbled resulting in rising market penetration rates, which has led to surging LED replacements for incandescent bulbs. The LED lighting market will reach US $30.5 billion by 2016, according to market projections. Industry insiders pointed out incandescent bulb phase out is nearing an important period, which will spur the next LED replacement peak in Chinese cities by 2016.

China’s incandescent bulb phase out measures can be broken down into the following:

Phase 1: From Nov. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2012 is a transition period, where importers and retailers need to start preparing for the eventual phase out.

By phase two, imports and sell of 100W and above incandescent bulbs for general lighting was banned on Oct. 1, 2012.

Implementation of phase three of the incandescent bulb ban was rolled out in Oct. 1, 2014, which proceeded to phase out 60W and above incandescent bulbs.

An interim evaluation period took place during phase four of China’s incandescent bulb ban from Oct. 1, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2016, which evaluated the earlier policies, and adjusted following policies.

The last phase of the incandescent bulb ban in China will be effective as of Oct. 1, 2016, which will phase out imports and sales of 15W and above general incandescent light bulbs. Adjustments will be made following a midterm evaluation.