Important safety warning
By Philips
2026-04-24
2-5 min. read
Philips Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector Lamps: R30, R40 & PAR 38
At a glance
- How do I know if my energy saver A/K/A Marathon or Marathon Classic Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamps are eligible for an exchange?
- What to do if you own an energy saver A/K/A Marathon or Marathon Classic Dimmable Reflector lamp which does not need to be exchanged?
Philips has identified a safety problem which affects a number of Energy Saver a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic Compact Fluorescent dimmable reflector lamps produced between March 2007 & May 2010, and sold through the period of March 2007 through July 2011. Philips is committed to the well-being of its consumers and has decided to voluntarily recall the affected CFLi lamps and offer a free replacement lamp to consumers.The Model numbers and UPC codes affected are:
Product Description: EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable R30 Reflector Flood
Model Number: EL/A R30 Dim 16w
UPC: 0 46677 13707 6
Product Description: EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable R40 Reflector Flood
Model Number: EL/A R40 Dim 20w
UPC: 0 46677 13708 3
Product Description: EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable Par38 Reflector Flood
Model Number: EL/A Par38 Dim 20w
UPC: 0 46677 14644 3
The glue attaching the glass outer envelope or globe to the body of the lamp can fail allowing the glass outer envelope to fall and strike persons and objects below posing a possible laceration hazard to consumers.
How do I know if my energy saver A/K/A Marathon or Marathon Classic Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamps are eligible for an exchange?
Please call Philips Customer Care (tel: (800) 555-0050) to talk with an agent to see if your Energy Saver a/k/a/ Marathon or Marathon Classic Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamp is eligible. The agent will ask you to provide the following information regarding the product:
- UPC Code
- Model number
- Date code
That information can be found easily as follows:
For boxed product, the UPC number can be found on the bottom of the box (Figure1).
If you no longer have the product packaging, the affected Energy Saver a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamps can be identified via the Model number, which is listed in the white area of the lamp with other product information.
The date code can be found on the plastic or metal base of the lamp. Figures 3, 4 & 5 show the different locations of the date code on the plastic. Figure 6 shows the date code location on the metal base.
Date Code on Product: C7 to M7
Month and Date of Production: March to December 2007
Date Code on Product: A8 to M8
Month and Date of Production: January to December 2008
Date Code on Product: A9 to D9
Month and Date of Production: January to April 2009
Date Code on Product: 0916 to 0953
Month and Date of Production: April to December 2009
Date Code on Product: 1001 to 1022
Month and Date of Production: January to May 2010
Please also read the FAQs.
What to do if you own an energy saver A/K/A Marathon or Marathon Classic Dimmable Reflector lamp which does not need to be exchanged?
If you own an Energy Saver a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamp with a different product-type number to those stated above, or produced before or after the period March 2007 to May 2010, your lamp will not need to be replaced. We would like to reassure owners of these Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamps that they are safe to use.
We thank you for your cooperation and apologize for any inconvenience caused.
What problem has Philips identified with its Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamps?
Philips has identified a safety problem involving the glue on the lamp not adhering and the globe falling out of the socket. This problem affects a number of these Dimmable Reflector lamps produced between March 2007 & May 2010, and sold from March 2007 through July 2011. Philips is committed to the quality and safety of its products and has decided to voluntarily recall the affected Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent dimmable reflector lamps and replace them.
What are you doing to resolve the problem?
Philips is offering to exchange affected lamps and provide consumers with a free replacement lamp.
Is the exchange program free of charge?
Yes. If you own an Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent dimmable reflector lamp from the affected batch, you will receive a free replacement.
What is Philips’ advice to owners of an Energy Saver (a/ k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent dimmable reflector lamp?
Our advice to owners is to check whether their lamp is part of the affected batch. If your Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent dimmable reflector lamp is part of the affected batch, please immediately discontinue using the product and call (800) 555-0050 to register for a replacement.
Can I continue to use my Energy Saver (a/ k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent Dimmable reflector lamp?
Immediately discontinue use of affected lamps and call (800) 555-0050 to register for a replacement lampt.
How do I know if my Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamp is among the affected batches?
The affected batches were manufactured between March 2007 & May 2010, and sold from March 2007 through July 2011, and have the Model numbers and UPC codes listed below.
Product Description: EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable R30 Reflector Flood
Model Number: EL/A R30 Dim 16w
UPC: 0 46677 13707 6
Product Description: EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable R40 Reflector Flood
Model Number: EL/A R40 Dim 20w
UPC: 0 46677 13708 3
Product Description: EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable Par38 Reflector Flood
Model Number: EL/A Par38 Dim 20w
UPC: 0 46677 14644 3
Does the problem occur with all Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamps?
No, the risk is limited to a batch of Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent dimmable reflector lamps produced between March 2007 and May 2010, and sold from March 2007 through July 2011. All Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent dimmable reflector lamps produced from June 2010 have a technical update which eliminates the risk completely.
The UPC Codes and Model numbers for the affected product are listed below.
Product Description: EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable R30 Reflector Flood
Model Number: EL/A R30 Dim 16w
UPC: 0 46677 13707 6
Product Description: EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable R40 Reflector Flood
Model Number: EL/A R40 Dim 20w
UPC: 0 46677 13708 3
Product Description: EnergySaver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Dimmable Par38 Reflector Flood
Model Number: EL/A Par38 Dim 20w
UPC: 0 46677 14644 3
Where can I find the UPC Code?
The UPC number can be found on the Bar Code on the lamp’s package. The Bar Code, without the first digit, contains the UPC code that coincides with the list of products that is included in the recall.
For boxed product, the UPC number can be found on the bottom of the box (Figure1).
The UPC code and date code can also be found on the outer box as seen in the image below.
Where can I find the Model number on the lamp?
The Model number can be found on the lamp itself in the white area with other product information.
If the lamp submitted for an exchange is not a lamp included in this recall program, Philips will not send replacement product and will not be returning your lamp.
Where can I find the product production date?
The date code can be found on several different places on the product. It is typically found on the plastic but can also be found on the metal base. Figures 3, 4 & 5 show the different locations of the date code on the plastic.
Additionally, the date code can be found on the metal part of the base as seen in the image below.
How long will it take to replace the affected product?
Once you have registered your affected lamp, we will send you a replacement lamp. You can expect to receive your Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent dimmable reflector lamp approximately four weeks after you make contact with Philips Customer Care either via phone @ (800) 555-0050 . We appreciate your cooperation and sincerely regret any inconvenience caused.
Have you reported the problem to the Consumer Product Safety Commission?
The ESA and Health Canada are aware of the problem and we are working jointly with them to provide information to Philips Energy Saver (a/k/a Marathon or Marathon Classic) Compact Fluorescent Dimmable Reflector lamp owners.
