As technology in the lighting industry advances, it can be difficult to understand what different standards mean for different products. Different organizations have different criteria for testing products for certification. As a general rule though, these certifications are a good thing and complement the quality of the product. These certifications include CE, FCC, UL, CSA, Energy Star and RoHS. In addition, there are other voluntary certifications such as GS, ENEC, ETL, cULus. These led Lighting certifications specify safety, performance and environmental standards.

We summarize the key certifications based on country. So that users can use these certified LED lamps with confidence. Read on to learn more!

Classification of certification

There are three main types of authentication. There are three main methods of organization certification.

1. The first classification is based on market access. Market access refers to whether the certification is mandatory or optional according to the laws and regulations of a country or region. Market access is divided into mandatory and voluntary.
2. The second classification is based on certification requirements. Certification requirements generally include safety, electromagnetic emissions, and energy efficiency.
3. The third category is the certified application area. The applicable region refers to which country or region the certificate is suitable for. For example, CE certification is applicable to the European Union, and CCC certification is applicable to China.

Commonly Used Authentications

CE marking

The letters ‘CE’ appear on many products traded on the extended Single Market in the European Economic Area (EEA). They signify that products sold in the EEA have been assessed to meet high safety, health, and environmental protection requirements.

There are two main benefits CE marking brings to businesses and consumers within the EEA

• businesses know that products bearing the CE marking can be traded in the EEA without restrictions
• consumers enjoy the same level of health, safety, and environmental protection throughout the entire EEA

Source: http://ec.europa.eu

RoHS Certification

The RoHS Directive aims to prevent the risks posed to human health and the environment related to the management of electronic and electrical waste.

It does this by restricting the use of certain hazardous substances in EEE that can be substituted by safer alternatives. These restricted substances include heavy metals, flame retardants or plasticizers.

The Directive promotes the recyclability of EEE, as EEE and its components that have become waste contain fewer hazardous substances. At the same time, it ensures a level playing field for manufacturers and importers of EEE in the European market.

The RoHS Directive currently restricts the use of ten substances: 

1. Lead (Pb)
2. Mercury (Hg)
3. Cadmium (Cd)
4. Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
5. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
6. Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
7. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
8. Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
9. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
10. Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)

Source: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/

Energy Star

Energy Star (trademarked ENERGY STAR) is a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that promotes energy efficiency. The program provides information on the energy consumption of products and devices using different standardized methods.

Lighting products that have earned the ENERGY STAR deliver exceptional features, while using less energy. Saving energy helps you save money on utility bills and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the fight against climate change.

Source: https://www.energystar.gov/

UL Listed

UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories. They are a non-profit organization who refer to themselves as an independent global, safety science company. They test and approve products for consumer safety and standards. Typically, UL certified products include or process electricity. When something is labeled as UL Listed that means the tested product met pertinent requirements under the Underwriters Laboratories’ Standards of Safety.

Source: https://www.ul.com/

ETL Certification

Edison Testing Laboratories (ETL) is recognized as an NRTL in the United States and, in a similar capacity, as a Testing Organization and Certifying Body in Canada by the Standards Council of Canada. A product bearing the ETL Certification Mark is determined to have met the minimum requirements of prescribed product safety standards. The Mark also indicates that the Intertek ETL Certification Markmanufacturer’s production site conforms to a range of compliance measures and is subject to periodic follow up inspections to verify continued conformance.

Intertek ETL provides a certification mark to indicate proof of product compliance in the U.S., Canada, and in other parts of the world with set safety standards.

Source: https://www.intertek.com/

FCC Certification

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates and enforces products that can emit radio frequency energy or other electromagnetic interference that might cause harm to the public or broadcast in radio frequency range, plus other telecommunications requirements.

Certification for RF devices is the most stringent offered by the FCC due to the potential interference with radio services. Test data provided to the FCC is sourced from testing performed by an FCC recognized and accredited testing laboratory.

Source: https://www.fcc.gov/

DLC Listed

DesignLight Consortium is a non-profit with a mission to define quality, facilitate thought leadership, and to deliver both tools and resources to the lighting market through open dialogue and collaboration. In addition, utilities nationwide participate in rebate programs regarding DLC standards for select products.

The DesignLights Consortium® (DLC) is a voluntary certification initiative for LED technology requiring lighting products to comply with minimum performance standards in three critical areas:

• distribution
• color
• and longevity/stress

Testing to DLC lighting requirements must be completed by an Accredited Laboratory, with test results submitted directly to the DLC by the manufacturer.

Source: https://www.designlights.org/

Conclusion

I hope this article will help you by sharing the certification of 7 kinds of LED lights. With these certifications, customers will feel safe when using your product. You can also enter the target country without breaking a sweat!

Lacelesty products are certified according to the latest standards. To find out which products are certified, visit our website or contact our customer service department.