If you have a lamp-based projector in your home theatre system, you might want to start saving for a replacement now.
New EU regulations mean the manufacture and sale of the bulbs used in these projectors will become prohibited from 2026, meaning you will no longer be able to buy replacement bulbs, or new projectors containing them.
As reported by journalist Michael Rehders on his blog and highlighted on flatpanelsHD, this is all part of a clamp down on the production of mercury-containing products, a substance the EU deems to be dangerous to humans.
It’s a ban that started steadily in 2005, and which has now made its way to lightbulbs, including the bulbs used in Ultra High-Performance (UHP) projector lamps. These are most often associated with DLP projectors, though can be found in other types too.
One of the reasons they remain popular is because they provide high brightness at a lower cost, but the downside is the bulbs need replacing every 2,000-4,000 hours in normal modes, compared to the 20,000+ hours you’ll get from the competing technologies.
These regulations will come into effect on 1st January 2026, though retailers will still be able to sell any existing stock from that point.
