DLC Certification: For Lighting Manufacturers and Traders, It’s More Than an Endorsement—It’s the Key to North American Commercial Lighting and Government Subsidies

For lighting manufacturers and traders, DLC certification is not only an authoritative endorsement of product performance, but also the core qualification to enter the North American commercial lighting sector and access government subsidies.

 

In the North American market, especially in the commercial lighting field, DLC (DesignLights Consortium) certification has become a symbol of high-quality, energy-efficient lighting products. For lighting producers and traders aiming to expand into the North American market, understanding and obtaining DLC certification is crucial.

I. Market Value and Influence of DLC Certification

DLC certification enjoys extremely high authority and recognition in the North American market. The DLC Certified Products List is used by utility companies to promote high-performance solid-state lighting fixtures, and these products are typically eligible for subsidies from North American governments.

 

Products with DLC certification not only command better pricing in the U.S. market but also significantly enhance their competitiveness. Compared to non-certified products, DLC-listed products demonstrate distinct advantages in energy efficiency, performance indicators, rebates and incentives, service life, and reliability.

II. Scope of Products Eligible for DLC Certification

DLC certification primarily targets commercial LED lighting products, covering various types of fixtures:

 

• Outdoor post-mounted/arm-mounted area and street lighting
• Outdoor post-mounted/arm-mounted decorative lighting
• Outdoor wall-mounted area lighting
• Wall washers
• Landscape/emergency floodlights and spotlights
• Gas station/parking lot lighting
• LED panel lights
• LED tubes

 

It is important to note that DLC certification mainly applies to LED lights and is only available for AC-powered products.

III. Technical Requirements for DLC Certification

DLC certification imposes strict technical requirements on products, mainly including:

 

• Color Temperature (CCT) Limit: ≤ 5700K for outdoor lights; ≤ 5000K for indoor lights
• Color Rendering Index (CRI) Requirement: ≥ 65 for outdoor lights; ≥ 80 for indoor lights
• Power Factor (PF) Requirement: PF ≥ 0.9
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) Limit: THD ≤ 20%
• Luminous Efficacy Requirement: Corresponding minimum luminous efficacy standards apply to different product types

IV. Core Process of DLC Certification

The DLC certification process mainly consists of the following key stages:

 

1. Provide recognized safety reports: Reports complying with UL standards (for products with UL or ETL certification) are required.
2. Submit samples for testing: Send samples to a DLC-recognized laboratory for testing.
3. Issue test report: Typically takes 1 week.
4. Register on the Lightingfacts website.
5. Register on the DLC website.
6. Make payment.
7. DLC review: Usually takes 2–3 weeks.
8. Successful listing on the website: The product can be queried on the official DLC website.

 

The overall certification cycle is usually 3–4 weeks.

V. Key Technical Documents Required for Certification

The following technical documents must be prepared when applying for DLC certification:

 

• Test reports: Including LM79 report and temperature rise report (ISTMT).
• Safety certificates: Safety reports recognized by the U.S. federal government, such as ETL or UL certificates.
• LED chip LM80 report: If no LM80 report is available, a 6000-hour lifespan test is required (extending the cycle).
• LED chip specifications.
• 5-year warranty statement (a standard template is provided).
• Power supply specifications: Required for the Premium version.
• Product specifications: Including installation instructions.

VI. Detailed Explanation of DLC Test Items

DLC certification involves multiple test items, mainly including:

 

• Color temperature testing (for high-color-temperature products).
• LM79 testing (for low-color-temperature products).
• ISTMT testing (for low-color-temperature products).
• Driver temperature rise testing: Applicable only to the Premium version.
• TM21 lifespan analysis.

 

These tests ensure that products meet DLC requirements in terms of light output, regional lumen distribution, color temperature, color rendering index, luminous efficacy, lumen maintenance, warranted service life, power factor, and current harmonics.

VII. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Certification Partner

Selecting a suitable certification partner can help enterprises pass DLC certification efficiently. Key considerations include:

 

• Technical capabilities: Whether the partner has comprehensive testing equipment and an experienced technical team.
• Service experience: Whether the partner is familiar with the specific requirements and common issues of DLC certification.
• Global network: Whether the partner can provide one-stop global certification services.
• Local support: Whether the partner can offer localized technical support and coordination for factory inspections.

 

Professional certification institutions can provide enterprises with end-to-end services—from pre-consultation, test preparation, and issue rectification to audit preparation—significantly improving the certification success rate.

 

After obtaining DLC certification, lighting enterprises can not only enter the high-end North American commercial lighting market but also enjoy government subsidies and gain more competitive product pricing power, laying a solid foundation for brand internationalization.

 

DLC certification also drives enterprises to establish a comprehensive quality management system, achieve continuous quality improvement, and enhance product performance and reliability.

 

For lighting manufacturers and traders, understanding and obtaining DLC certification means holding the "key" to the high-end North American market and taking a crucial step in their international layout. Choosing a professional certification partner can help enterprises complete the certification process more efficiently and quickly seize market opportunities.