The days of classic halogen and metal halide lamps are numbered. A new EU regulation is bringing the end of these widely used light sources ever closer. But before we delve into the details of the regulation, let’s ask ourselves a question: when was the last time you didn’t pay attention to the light show at an event? Probably never. Light is at the heart of every event, setting the atmosphere, evoking emotions and often paving the way to unforgettable moments. But what happens when the basis of many lighting installations suddenly disappears?
Background on EU Regulation 2022/278: Farewell to Mercury and More
The EU Regulation 2022/278, which supplements the existing RoHS Directive, aims to phase out hazardous substances such as mercury and pave the way for more environmentally friendly alternatives. The use of mercury in lighting will be gradually discontinued, as there are now enough safe alternatives available on the market. As of February 2027, certain lamps that were previously allowed due to technical necessity will no longer be sold or used in the EU. This primarily affects light sources that have been popular in event technology for their high light output and color rendering, such as halogen, metal halide, and high-pressure discharge lamps.
Which Types of Lamps are Affected?
The regulation covers a wide range of lamps commonly used in event technology. In addition to halogen lamps, many types of high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, such as metal halide lamps, are also affected by the ban. The problem is particularly significant because these types of lamps are often used in stage spotlights, effect lighting, and projection systems. This impacts both large stage productions and smaller venues, which will need to adapt their lighting technology.
Challenges for the Event Technology Industry
With the transition to new technologies, event organizers, lighting designers, and technology companies face significant challenges. Many existing systems are designed around the affected types of lamps, which requires costly and time-consuming adjustments to lighting technology. Additionally, there could be short-term shortages and high demand for alternative technologies such as LEDs and laser phosphor, leading to supply difficulties.
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April 8-11, 2025
Laser Phosphor and LED: The Future of Event Lighting?
The good news is that there are already promising alternatives available. Laser phosphor technology uses a blue laser beam that illuminates a phosphor layer to produce intense and uniform white light. This technology offers several advantages over traditional types of lamps: it is more energy efficient, has a longer lifespan, and is free of toxic substances. In practice, this means that laser phosphor spotlights generate extremely bright and color-intensive light, making them ideal for stage and outdoor events. The compact design and low heat generation also make integration into complex setups easier.
LED technologies are also a strong alternative. LEDs offer enormous energy savings, significantly longer lifespans, and versatile application possibilities. While LED lights are already used in many areas of event technology, their ability to also serve as replacements for specialized stage lighting is a growing trend.
Which Lamps Use Laser Phosphor Technology?
At the Prolight + Sound 2025, you can see many exhibitors showcasing lamps with laser phosphor technology. We are already introducing two products:
Robe iBOLT
The Robe iBOLT is a phosphor laser spotlight with an impressive brightness of 1,100,000 lux at 20 meters. With a zoom range of 0.4° to 8.5°, it is suitable for both focused beams and soft wash effects. Technologies such as SpektraBeam™ and MLP™ prisms enable the iBOLT to deliver creative lighting effects. Its robust design with protection systems like POLAR+™ makes it ideal for outdoor events.
Cameo ORON H2
The Cameo ORON H2 is an IP65-rated hybrid moving head with a 260-watt phosphor laser engine. With a brightness of 330,000 lux at 20 meters, it offers a wide zoom range of 0.6° to 32°, making it highly versatile. It is equipped with 19 fixed and 12 rotating gobos, as well as various effect prisms, allowing for creative lighting design. The ORON H2 is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications and is already used by major event companies like PRG.
Was kommt auf der Prolight+Sound 2025?
Die Prolight+Sound 2025 wird ein zentraler Ort sein, um die Auswirkungen der EU-Verordnung 2022/278 auf die Veranstaltungstechnikbranche zu diskutieren. Viele Aussteller werden sich auf nachhaltige Lichttechnologien fokussieren, die den neuen Anforderungen entsprechen. Besucher können sich auf innovative Lösungen freuen, von Laser-Phosphor-Scheinwerfern bis hin zu neuen Generationen von LEDs, die mit noch höherer Lichtausbeute und besserer Farbwiedergabe überzeugen. Unsere Aussteller werden ihre neuesten Produkte und Anpassungsstrategien vorstellen, um den bevorstehenden Wechsel so reibungslos wie möglich zu gestalten. Workshops und Vorträge zum Thema “Nachhaltige Beleuchtung” werden ebenfalls wertvolle Einblicke bieten – you better don’t miss this!