The Foundation's Board is closely monitoring developments and discussion around energy saving 'eco-bulbs' following a number of vision-related concerns that have been highlighted by international blindness organisations:

• the time it takes for the CFLs to heat up and produce maximum light

• brightness

• light distribution

• light colour

The Board fully supports the recommendations of the UK RNIB on this issue.  Details of the recommendations and further information can be accessed on the Advice on energy efficient lighting page on the RNIB website.

Update December 2008

The Government has announced a reverse of the previous administration's plans to phase out some incandescent light bulbs, opting to leave the decision of whether to buy energy efficient light bulbs with consumers.