The issue of the effect of the change to CFLs on power quality was noted earlier in the year. As an update, the Australian Government's program to eliminate inefficient incandescent bulbs is recognising this problem, and the regulatory impact statement for the intended legislation proposes that CFLs will be required to meet the emission requirements of AS 61000.3.2 (the local adoption of IEC 61000.3.2). This has been strongly supported by the Energy Networks Association, which represents the electricity distributors, who make the point that, without some control on the performance of CFLs there is potential for adverse effects on power quality. 

Of course introducing a regulatory requirement, and enforcing it, are two separate matters. It remains to be seen how effective the enforcement will be, and to some extent this will be influenced by the requirements of other markets and regulators.