It is the received view in economics that the best way to deal with market failure caused by negative externalities is a tradeable permit. When that can't be implemented a tax is second best and then regulation, which is better than doing nothing.
But sometimes the market needs a bit more help. This means regulation to force a change in behaviour. A classic case is noise limits on aircraft engines and another is banning the old fashioned lightbulb.
The EU has already banned the 100w bulb and now the manufacture and importation of the 60w bulb has followed. The article explains the savings to consumers of such action.
But if the energy saving alternatives are so much better and cheaper why haven't consumers switched themselves? The answer is imperfect information. Consumers see the very much cheaper old-style bulbs and opt for them, ignoring the ongoing lower running costs.
While an alternative would be education that would be far less effective and would not bring the lower carbon emissions needed to meet the 2020 targets.
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