CFL bulbs are not banned nationwide in the United States, at least not yet. The federal efficiency rule that took effect in 2022 mostly wiped out traditional incandescents; most compact fluorescents clear that bar. What is pulling CFLs off shelves is a growing list of state laws that ban mercury-containing lamps outright, together with a stricter federal efficiency standard finalized in 2024 that takes effect on July 25, 2028, and that no CFL can meet.
Why the 2022 Federal Rule Did Not Ban CFLs
Federal regulations prohibit the sale of any general service lamp that produces less than 45 lumens of light per watt of electricity.1eCFR. 10 CFR 430.32 – Energy and Water Conservation Standards Congress wrote that figure into law as a backstop: if the Department of Energy did not finish a rulemaking saving at least as much energy, the 45-lumen floor would kick in automatically.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 6295 DOE missed the deadline, so the backstop became the rule.
A typical CFL produces roughly 50 to 70 lumens per watt, so most CFLs clear the federal minimum without trouble. A standard 13-watt CFL puts out about 900 lumens. The technologies the rule actually eliminated were traditional incandescents, at only 12 to 18 lumens per watt, and halogen incandescents, which top out around 20 to 25.
The rule took effect on July 25, 2022, with full enforcement against manufacturers starting January 1, 2023, and against distributors and retailers by July 2023.3Department of Energy. Enforcement Policy Statement – General Service Lamps A knowing sale of a non-compliant bulb carries a federal civil penalty of up to $100 per violation.4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 6303 – Enforcement
One boundary worth stating plainly: none of these rules require you to remove bulbs you already own. The restrictions target manufacturing, import, and retail sale. If you have CFLs, or even old incandescents, in your fixtures, you can keep using them.
States That Have Already Banned CFLs
The reason CFLs have vanished from many stores has less to do with efficiency than with mercury. Each CFL contains about four milligrams of mercury sealed in the glass, and more than a dozen states have banned mercury-containing lamps regardless of how efficient they are.5US EPA. What Are the Connections Between Mercury and CFLs?
Vermont was first out, banning screw-base CFLs in February 2023. California followed on January 1, 2024, for screw-base and bayonet-base CFLs, with pin-base CFLs added on January 1, 2025. Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Illinois have all enacted their own phase-outs, most falling between 2024 and 2027. Washington sits at the end of the line with a January 1, 2029 ban on all CFLs and linear fluorescent tubes.
These state laws are broader than the federal standard. A CFL that meets the 45-lumen federal floor can still be illegal to sell in a state with a mercury ban, and retailers who stock them face state penalties that vary by jurisdiction.
The 2028 Federal Standard That Ends CFLs Nationwide
Even if your state has no mercury ban, CFLs are on a federal clock. In April 2024, the Department of Energy finalized a new efficiency standard for general service lamps with a compliance date of July 25, 2028.6Federal Register. Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for General Service Lamps The flat 45-lumen floor gives way to a formula that varies by lamp type, but for common household bulbs the effective minimum lands around 120 lumens per watt.
No CFL on the market can reach that level. Even the best compact fluorescents top out near 70 lumens per watt. Only LED technology consistently clears the new bar. After July 25, 2028, any general service lamp manufactured or imported must meet the updated formula, which makes CFLs federally non-compliant across the country.
Bulbs made before that date can still be sold through existing inventory, so a few CFLs may linger on shelves for a short time. Once that stock runs out, new CFLs will be gone from the general market.
Bulbs Still Allowed Under the Rules
The DOE has carved out exemptions for specialty lamps whose main purpose is something other than lighting a room.7Federal Register. Energy Conservation Program: Definitions for General Service Lamps These stay legal to sell regardless of the efficiency standards, and the exemptions apply to both the current rule and the 2028 update.
- Appliance lamps designed to operate inside ovens and similar appliances at temperatures above 300°F.
- Bug lamps engineered to avoid attracting insects, typically emitting light between 500 and 600 nanometers.
- Colored lamps with a color rendering index below 40, or a color temperature below 2,500K or above 6,600K.
- Infrared lamps that emit at least 80 percent of their output in the infrared range.
- Plant lights marketed specifically to promote plant growth.
State mercury bans work differently and generally do not exempt CFLs on efficiency grounds. Check your state’s own list if you rely on a specialty bulb type.
What to Do With the CFLs You Own
Because of the mercury, you cannot always throw a dead CFL in the household trash. Some states and cities require recycling of mercury-containing lamps; where no such rule applies, the EPA says you may put unbroken CFLs in regular waste but recommends recycling instead.8US EPA. Recycling and Disposal of CFLs and Other Bulbs that Contain Mercury
The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and IKEA accept used CFLs for recycling at many locations, though participation and accepted types vary, so call ahead. Local waste agencies often run drop-off programs or periodic collection events. Mail-back kits are another option: buy a pre-labeled box, fill it with used bulbs, and drop it at the post office.
If a CFL Breaks
A broken CFL releases a small amount of mercury vapor. The EPA’s guidance is to clear people and pets from the room, open a window for five to ten minutes, and shut off central heating or air conditioning so the vapor doesn’t spread through the house.9US EPA. Cleaning Up a Broken CFL Scoop fragments and powder with stiff cardboard, lift smaller pieces with sticky tape, and wipe the area with damp paper towels. Seal everything in a glass jar or plastic bag and place it outside in a trash container. Do not vacuum unless visible glass remains, and wash your hands afterward. The mercury in a single bulb is small, about four milligrams, but the cleanup steps keep exposure low.