EU Ban on Filament Light Bulbs

(Berlin, Germany) Although it appears that enforcement measures haven't been standardized and finalized, the nation of Germany will comply with a European Union directive to institute a complete ban on filament light bulbs, effective September 1st.

German state governments say they would have to employ extra staff to police the European ban on filament light bulbs if they are to make the checks called for by the European Commission.[…]

The commission has called on German authorities to carry out in-shop inspections to police the ban.

Germany's state market surveillance authorities, who would be responsible for these inspections, offered a mixed response to the EU's request.

Berlin and Brandenburg's authorities said they would need extra employees, while the North Rhine-Westphalia office said they had not planned any measures to police the light bulb ban so far.

At present, it appears that the light bulb police will only monitor retail sales of filament bulbs. However, it seems logical to expect that the police will ultimately conduct investigations of smuggling activity and black market sales.

Note that punitive measures for violations of the light bulb ban haven't been reported and possibly haven't been decided. In any event, I suggest the EU ban on light bulbs wasn't clearly thought through prior to being imposed.