Halogen bulbs will be banned next year as part of the same legislation that phased out incandescent bulbs, according to EU proposals.
All 12V MR16 lamp bulbs will be phased out from 2013 if the draft legislation is approved.
Millions of these powerful spotlight bulbs are sold in Britain every year.
The cost to the many businesses and households that will be forced to replace their lightbulbs will have a significant impact during already difficult economic times.

A 12V MR16 bulb costs around £3, while an energy-saving alternative can cost up to £25.

While the environmentally friendly alternative may last a lot longer than a standard bulb, its cost vastly outweighs any financial benefit this might have.
Lighting designers and manufacturers have already indicated concern about the restrictions the ban will impose.
Even suppliers who offer energy-efficient alternatives to halogen bulbs are critical of the government’s scattergun approach to banning products.

Simon Leggett, Managing Director of LED specialists OCG Lighting, said: 'This latest proposal is another misguided piece of legislation from a government who are unfortunately failing to get a handle on the issue of energy efficient lighting.'
He added: 'Government has a fundamental role to play in accelerating the widespread adoption of energy-efficient lighting solutions.

'What is required is a radical rethink in our approach to lighting that focuses on long-term solutions.'
This is not the first time that the government has missed the mark on lighting legislation.
The incandescent bulb phase-out led to the widespread adoption of compact fluorescents that were not only a major step backwards in terms of performance, but also a poor move that encouraged products containing large quantities of mercury to be released into uncontrolled and domestic environments.

Mr Leggett said: 'The intention to encourage widespread adoption of energy efficient lighting is absolutely right.

'But the impact on businesses and households has to be taken into account. Pressure must be matched by support and proper communication around the benefits of investing in long-life, maintenance-free lighting.'
Traditional lightbulbs disappeared from British shops in 2009.
All conventional pearl, incandescent lightbulbs were banned by the European Union to slash energy bills and carbon dioxide emissions.
The move covered every type of frosted traditional bulb, from the 60-watt pearl bulbs used in table lamps to more specialised opaque 25- and 40-watt bulbs shaped like golf balls and candles.

The measure, introduced with little fanfare, aims to force consumers to fit energy-saving lights.

OK and now to what i say,  What most people did in the early 90s Replaced there Fluorescent Fittings in the kitchen To halogen 50w Bulbs what my parents did back in 1995 after only 2 years using the old 80s Fluorescent fitting witch Probably would still work now if we had it. 
I say lets all go back to putting back the Old Thorn Packs back up ^^ Or Evan better twin fittings. Who wants Crappy LED down Lights in there Kitchen When Half Of known LEDs i know People have bought so far fail from the Electronics in the bulb than by the LED It self,  I say Its starting all over again from the Incandescent to Compact Fluorescent bulb Fiasco.

Are these halogens banned only in UK if the legislation is accepted or in whole EU? If so, must get stockpile of those. Sad thing they intend to ban more lamps

That is a stupid idea what about track,recessed,fiber optic,and other contemporary/modern style lights you find in high end stores and houses. I have seen some of the LED replacements and they are beyond crap and light output will be low and result in putting in more fixtures.

Is there any 12V LED, that'll have the light output of 50W reflector halogen (so ~10W power), be the same form factor, _and not overheat for dissipating 10W in this form factor_ ?

Probably not quite

So are people supposed to rip recessed cans out of the ceiling or what ?