China is to phase out inefficient lightbulbs next year. The Xinhua News Agency reported that Xie Ji of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said selling and importing incandescent bulbs of 100 watts or more will be banned from October 2012. While in 2014 the ban will be extended to 60 watt bulb.

The move is similar to that taken by the EU, which outlawed 60 watt incandescent bulbs across its member states in September.