CFLs contain very small amounts of mercury in order to operate. A number of country and regional regulators that have initiated lighting market transformation programs have, or are in the process of, limiting mercury concentrations in CFLs. In addition in February 2009, the Governing Council of UNEP agreed on the need to develop a global legally binding instrument on mercury.

In some regions, which have initiated efficient lighting policies, a focus was also extended to cover the review of purported health related concerns with regard to the use of artificial light including: light intensity, stroboscopic effects, light sensitivity or Lupus syndrome, UV limits, influence on melatonin and effects of electromagnetic fields.

In view of all the above developments, the Consumer, Environmental Protection and Recycling Taskforce reviews scientific data and other publications to develop science-based recommendations on: lifecycle issues in lighting; its environmental, health and safety aspects; and, general consumer concerns regarding lighting including use of mercury, recycling and end-of-life treatment.