South Africa is preparing to tighten its energy efficiency regulations for lighting products, with the second phase of its national light bulb ban scheduled to take effect on 23 May 2026.
The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) has confirmed that regulatory systems are in place to implement the next stage, which increases the minimum luminous efficiency requirement for general lighting products from 90 lumens per watt (lm/W) to 105 lm/W.
The initial phase, introduced on 23 May 2025, prohibited the sale of electric lamps primarily used for lighting that failed to meet the 90 lm/W threshold. With the upcoming adjustment, an even broader range of lower-efficiency products will be excluded from the South African market.
According to the NRCS, the revised requirement will apply to new products entering the market that were not previously approved under the first phase. Manufacturers and importers must obtain a Letter of Authority (LoA) before selling regulated products locally. The LoA certifies compliance with mandatory safety and energy performance standards and is typically valid for three years.
Regulators have indicated they expect a notable increase in LoA applications as companies seek to align product lines with the stricter criteria. The NRCS has also warned that approvals may be suspended or revoked if compliance conditions are not maintained.
From Incandescent to LED: A Structural Shift
The updated regulation forms part of a broader national strategy aimed at improving safety, performance, and energy efficiency standards. South Africa has faced ongoing electricity supply constraints over the past decade, and energy-saving initiatives have increasingly become a policy priority.
The first phase of the ban effectively removed most incandescent bulbs and a large portion of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) from retail shelves. The regulations were first published in May 2024 by then Trade and Industry Minister Ibrahim Patel, providing a 12-month transition period before enforcement began.
Industry stakeholders have largely supported the reforms. Grant Pattison, managing director of energy advisory firm Savvy Savers, described the shift as a logical progression toward more efficient technology. He noted that incandescent bulbs consume roughly ten times more electricity than light-emitting diode (LED) alternatives, while CFLs typically use about twice as much power as LEDs.
The transition is expected to produce measurable household savings. Reduced electricity demand may also lower the size requirements for rooftop solar installations, potentially easing reliance on grid supply in a country where energy reliability has been a recurring challenge.
Beyond cost and efficiency considerations, environmental concerns have also influenced policy direction. CFLs contain small quantities of mercury, posing disposal risks if not handled correctly. By contrast, LED products contain electronic components but do not carry the same hazardous material profile.
The NRCS has stated that it will work closely with other government agencies to monitor compliance and remove non-compliant electrical products from circulation. These include lighting products as well as regulated items such as electrical cables, plugs, household appliances, and power tools.
South Africa’s progressive tightening of lighting standards mirrors global trends, with many countries having phased out inefficient incandescent technology over the past decade. The forthcoming 105 lm/W threshold signals a further step in aligning the country’s regulatory framework with evolving international efficiency benchmarks.
As the May 2026 deadline approaches, the lighting sector faces another adjustment period—one that may permanently redefine the structure of South Africa’s consumer lighting market.
