Lighting Certification | LEDVANCE

Introduction to the Lighting Certification

Lighting fixtures enjoy a fast iteration and update in today's market, therefore, lighting certifications play a vital role since they're reliable indicators to help consumers select quality lighting products. Recognized standards ensure that products meet defined quality benchmarks and performance expectations. In this blog, we'll dive into the details and how they contribute to quality assurance in the lighting industry.

​​
sylvania lighting
LED Lighting Certification What the LED Lighting Certification Means
Title 24 Certification This California-based lighting certification helps a business owner discover the options that provide the most energy-efficient outcomes for their specific needs.
ENERGY STAR®​​​​​ With this rating, consumers know that the certified device uses about 25% less energy than a conventional product.
​Dark Sky​ Operated by the International Dark Sky Association, this certification applies to outdoor lighting that lessens light trespassing and overall glare. The goal is to create a more authentic and natural evening environment.
Design Lights Consortium DLC certification is issued to commercial LED lights based on several categories: lumen maintenance, color rendering, light distribution, longevity, and output. The warranty's duration is another consideration. It is typically found on commercial and industrial-grade lighting panels or retrofit kits.
Consortium for Energy Efficiency CEE certification comes from a proprietary list of operational, performance, efficiency, and safety guidelines. It incorporates a broad range of products, including ballasts and lamps. The guidelines for earning this label are regularly updated based on the new technologies that emerge in LED bulbs.
Lighting Facts Certification Lighting Facts CertificationThe certification under this category requires LED manufacturers and brands to display the lumens value on a product package instead of the wattage.
Several organizations provide LED lighting certifications today. Here's a closer look at the currently available options so that you can find products that meet your needs.


Part 2: Understanding Key LED Lighting Certifications



1. UL Listed
Underwriters Laboratories is an American-based consultation and safety company that offers services in over 100 countries. It was first established in 1894, gaining recognition by creating safety standards and conducting initial analyses for using electrical components and devices in homes and businesses.

When LED lights receive a UL-listed certification​, the company has tested representative product samples. They've determined that it meets the current requirements for safety, allowing customers to know that the product and its components have all passed a thorough examination.

2. CE Certification
The CE marking is found on items sold in the European Economic Area. This label on LED lights ensures more freedom of movement throughout the continental marketplace.

When an item bears this certification, it was manufactured to the product specifications set by the European safety, health, and environmental standards. Since legislation can change those standards, customers have confidence that their lights meet or exceed the current requirements.

Although the CE certification allows for European sales, it is not a guarantee that the product was made in Europe. All LED lights sold on the continent must carry this mark.

3. CSA Group Certification​
The Compliance, Standards, and Accountability Group focuses on Canada-based certifications. Its marks in the lighting category include energy efficiency verification, product evaluation, testing, and quality standards.

When customers see a CSA mark, they can have confidence that it meets the metrics set by other licensing options, including ENERGY STAR®. It's a recognized certification by many governments and agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States.

RoHS Compliance Certification
​​The Restriction of Hazardous Substances certification sets standards for electronic and electrical products. This compliance is mandatory for all products sold in the European Union.

When you see a package with this label, it means the product does not exceed the maximum levels of six restricted substances. That means customers can be confident that their LED lights don't contain unacceptable levels of cadmium, hexavalent chromium, mercury, lead, and more.

Part 3: LEED Certification for LED Lights


LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design." It's a green building certification program initially developed by the United States Green Building Council.

Certification occurs at different levels and uses unique rating systems. It's available for commercial structures at any point during the building's life cycle. Separate certifications are available for residential homes and neighborhood development projects.

LEED certification occurs when the building receives a minimum of 40 points. If 50 points are awarded, a silver certification is issued. Gold happens at 60 points, while platinum is available at 80 points.

When a building receives LEED certification​, businesses experience overhead benefits. Some governments provide tax incentives for pursuing this option, sometimes over the lifetime of the structure's use.

Many state and local governments expedite the building permits or offer grants to complete LEED-associated projects.

Since LED bulbs are an energy-efficient product, retrofitting or installing commercial fixtures in buildings can help a project earn up to 20 points toward LEED certification. This outcome is possible because the lighting optimizes the energy performance in kilowatts per square meter over a year.

With all these certifications available for LED lighting, it's much easier to create an environmentally preferred structure to use for homes and businesses. Look for these labels while shopping to ensure you receive the outcomes you want! ​​