In September 2009 the EU set a new EuP (Energy using Products) Directive.  The directive sets strict energy efficiency targets with the gradual phase out of traditional incandescent light bulbs and sets new regulations for the quantity of light measured by lumens rather than the wattage system. 

Traditionally, watts have been used to describe the performance of a light bulb but by measuring the performance in lumens it allows direct comparison of light quantity from light bulbs whether they are incandescent, halogen or energy saving compact flourescent bulbs.  For example, an incandescent 40W light bulb produces around 400 lumens, a 28W halogen light bulb produces 370 lumens and a 9W energy saving lamp produces 405 lumens.

The EU hopes that this will encourage customers to trade up to energy saving alternatives as the number of lumens produced by energy saving light bulbs are the same or very similar to standard incandescent light bulbs. 

All manufacturers will have to display the lumens value more prominently than the wattage value on all light bulb packaging from September 2010.