UPDATE May 7, 2025: Reptile, amphibian, and other animal keepers will get some relief from the Department of Energy ban on specialty animal care light bulbs. Bulbs that were unreasonably banned will be available again, provided a special sticker is applied to the packaging. This is great news for animal welfare! We have an excerpt below and have included a link to the full Enforcement Policy Statement. Thank you to everyone who engaged on this issue!
“Pursuant to Executive Order 14154, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces that effective immediately it will not take enforcement actions against any seller of noncompliant general service lamps (GSL), where such GSLs are marketed and sold exclusively for use in the care of reptiles, amphibians, or other small animals. Any other sale of non-compliant GSLs is subject to the discretionary enforcement powers of DOE…
As DOE initiated enforcement actions for sales of noncompliant GSLs, veterinarian and zoo organizations, along with concerned reptile owners, reached out to DOE expressing concern over the sales ban, which they claimed prevents them from obtaining lamps used for the health and care of their reptiles, amphibians, and other small animals. These groups indicated that they regularly use certain lamps, which meet the GSL definition but fail to meet the standard, for the lamps’ infra-red and heating properties, which foster the growth and development of reptiles, amphibians, and other small animals. These groups have requested that DOE exempt from the GSL sales prohibition any lamp marketed and sold solely for use for the care of reptiles, amphibians, or other small animals…
To be given enforcement leniency under this policy, a manufacturer or retailer must affix to all such lamps the following warning label:
This lamp is only available for purchase under DOE’s limited Enforcement Policy for GSLs Marketed Exclusively for Animal Health and Care. The purchaser is advised to consider suitable, available substitutes.”
Read the full statement at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/25-DOE-light-bulb-Enforcement-Policy-Statement.pdf.
Exemption Needed for Specialty Light Bulbs Under Department of Energy Ban
The problem: In 2022, the Department of Energy (DOE) banned specialty light bulbs required to keep animals healthy because they inappropriately classified them as General Service Lamps (GSLs). Light bulbs are deemed inefficient if they do not emit a certain amount of lumens per watt. Specifically, the rule prohibits the sale of “general service lamps” (GSLs) that do not meet a minimum efficacy standard of 45 lumens per watt (lm/W). A bulb that does not output the required lumens per watt is banned. This was meant to transition from less efficient bulbs to more efficient lighting, like LED bulbs.
These animal care bulbs are specialty items not used for general-purpose lighting in homes and businesses. However, certain bulbs were reviewed solely based on the number of lumens they produced per watt. Other crucial criteria were not examined or considered.
Changes to this ban have been sought for many months. The Department showed promising signs of being reasonable regarding the concerns expressed by experts such as veterinarians, zookeepers, and professional herpetologists. The Department’s willingness to engage with stakeholders was welcome and appreciated, but the animals cannot wait any longer.
While well-intended to make our country more energy efficient, this DOE regulation has severe unintended consequences. DOE has created new animal cruelty situations. A remedy must be found soon to save family pets and other animals.
Practical and reasonable solution:
1. Manufacturers of these specialty bulbs will print disclaimers on all packaging, such as: “Not for Use in General Lighting Applications” and/or;
2. DOE adds an exception for “Animal care lamp.”
Additional information:
• 30 million Americans have pet reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
• Veterinarians, zoological institutions, and other professionals have been outspoken about the need for amendments to this regulation, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
• Without these animal care bulbs, family pets and other animals will suffer and die.
• These animal care bulbs are much more expensive than GSLs used in households and businesses, so no one is buying them for GSL use.
a. Retail price of these animal care bulbs: $6 to $51 per bulb.
b. Retail price of LED GSL bulbs: $1 per bulb.
• The current bulb packaging makes it clear these are specialty animal care bulbs, not GSLs.
• Pet owners and animal caretakers have hoarded as many bulbs as possible. They are gravely concerned for their animals.
• The DOE has been communicating with manufacturers, professionals, and experts, but each day without relief from the ban is harmful to animal welfare.
Related article: “Light bulb ban threatens amphibian welfare. Veterinarians request exemption from US rule.” https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&catId=620&Id=12254509
