Canadian authorities have amended the minimum energy efficiency performance standards for commonly used light bulbs (i.e., 40, 60, 75 and 100 watt replacement light bulbs) to allow the commercialisation in Canada of a form of incandescent halogen bulb that is currently available in the United States. This particular light bulb was not permitted under the standards that were issued in 2008 and entered into force on 1 January 2014 for 75 watt and 100 watt light bulbs and are slated to be implemented on 31 December 2014 for 40 watt and 60 watt light bulbs.

In practical terms, the amendment will allow the use in Canada of an incandescent light bulb that manufacturers developed to meet U.S. standards as well as modified spectrum incandescent lamps generally purchased because of their ability to showcase certain colours. U.S. standards require standard-spectrum general service incandescent lamps with a luminous flux between 310 and 749 to consume no more than 29 watts and lamps with a luminous flux between 750 and 1,049 to consume no more than 43 watts, effective 1 January 2014. Additionally, lamps with a luminous flux between 1,050 and 1,489 may not consume more than 53 watts effective from 1 January 2013, while lamps with a luminous flux between 1,490 and 2,600 may not consume more than 72 watts effective from 1 January 2012. The U.S. standards for modified-spectrum general service incandescent lamps are a maximum of 72 watts for lamps with a luminous flux between 1,118 and 1,950, 53 watts for lamps with a luminous flux between 788 and 1,117 and, effective 1 January 2014, 43 watts for lamps with a luminous flux between 563 and 787 and 29 watts for lamps with a luminous flux between 232 and 562.

Canadian authorities believe that aligning Canadian standards with U.S. standards will provide more lighting options to Canadians, reduce regulatory compliance burdens on industry, and support the government's regulatory policy of aligning with U.S. standards, where feasible. Canada anticipates that the amended standards will deliver between CAN$749 million and CAN$2.4 billion in net benefits to Canadians from energy and greenhouse gas savings, including up to 7.5 megatonnes of reduced GHG emissions per year in 2025.