Brazil Bans Sale of Low-Efficiency Light Bulbs

Brazil has banned the sale of incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs with a greater-than-60-watt capacity that don’t meet new minimum energy efficiency standards. The ban, which began July 1, will be monitored by the National Institute of Metrology, Standards, and Industrial Quality (INMETRO). The 2010 energy-efficiency norm (No. 1,007) set a schedule for phasing out production, import and sale of nearly all incandescent bulbs by June 30, 2016. Incandescent bulbs above 150 watts had to be replaced on the market with more efficient versions by June 30, 2013. Bulbs of 25 watts and 40 watts must be replaced by ...