Lighting Energy Efficiency Certification: Global Market Access Pass & GTG’s Professional Solutions

As green and low-carbon development becomes a global consensus, energy efficiency certification has evolved from an option to a mandatory pass for lighting products entering international markets. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), high-efficiency lighting products can save 4-5% of global electricity consumption, and energy efficiency certification is the core benchmark for measuring product energy-saving performance.

I. Lighting Energy Efficiency Certification: Why It’s a Core Threshold for Global Markets?

Lighting energy efficiency certification is a systematic energy efficiency evaluation system that grades products by measuring their photoelectric parameters, lifespan, and energy efficiency indicators. With the accelerated global green and low-carbon transition, countries around the world have successively made energy efficiency certification a mandatory requirement for market access. Its core value is reflected in three aspects:

• Legal Precondition for Market Access: Major markets such as the United States, the European Union, and China have implemented mandatory energy efficiency certification.
• Quantified Energy-Saving Performance: Scientific testing methods accurately quantify product energy-saving effects, providing reliable basis for buyers.
• Key Competitive Edge: High-level energy efficiency certification has become a core element of product differentiated competition, directly influencing consumers’ purchasing decisions.

II. Panorama of Global Mainstream Energy Efficiency Certification Systems

1. China’s Energy Efficiency Certification System

China’s energy efficiency certification system mainly includes mandatory energy efficiency labeling and voluntary energy-saving certification:

• GB 37478-2025 New National Standard for LED Luminaires for Road and Tunnel Lighting: Will be implemented on June 1, 2026, increasing energy efficiency limit values and adding indicator requirements for low-color-temperature products.
• Energy Efficiency Standards for Indoor LED Lighting Products: The national standard Minimum Allowable Values of Energy Efficiency and Energy Efficiency Grades for LED Products for Indoor Lighting is under revision, which is expected to further raise energy efficiency thresholds.
• Energy Efficiency Level Classification Certification: China Quality Certification Center (CQC) launched lighting equipment energy efficiency level classification certification in June 2025. In accordance with Document No. 127 [2024] issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, products are classified into three levels: Advanced Level, Energy-Saving Level, and Access Level.

2. North American Energy Efficiency Certification System

• US DOE Certification: Starting from January 1, 2025, all luminaires sold in the United States must meet the latest DOE energy efficiency requirements. Core indicators include luminous efficacy (e.g., general lighting luminaires ≥45 lm/W), color rendering index, and power factor.
• DLC Certification: A voluntary certification for commercial lighting products, but it has become a necessary condition for obtaining US utility subsidies.
• Energy Star: The most recognized voluntary certification among consumers, significantly influencing purchasing decisions.

3. EU Energy Efficiency Certification System

• ErP Directive (Eco-design for Energy-Related Products): Requires luminaires to meet eco-design requirements and energy efficiency labeling regulations.
• Energy Efficiency Labeling: Adopts an A-G grading system; products must be registered in the EPREL database and clearly labeled.

4. Emerging Market Energy Efficiency Certification

• Uruguay: Launched new regulations in July 2025, incorporating LED lamps into the national energy efficiency labeling system, requiring mandatory certification and labeling before sale.
• Other Latin American Countries: Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and other countries have completely banned the sale of incandescent lamps, promoting the popularization of LED lighting.

III. Core Technical Parameters & Testing Methods for Lighting Energy Efficiency Certification

Energy efficiency certification revolves around a series of core technical parameters, which are measured through standardized testing methods:

1. Key Performance Indicators

• Luminous Efficacy (lm/W): The ratio of a luminaire’s luminous flux to input power, serving as the core basis for energy efficiency grading.
• Color Rendering Index (CRI): Characterizes the light source’s ability to restore the true color of objects, usually requiring Ra > 80.
• Color Tolerance (SDCM): A key parameter for measuring the color consistency of light sources.
• Power Factor (PF): Reflects the efficiency of electrical energy utilization; a higher value indicates better efficiency.
• Lumen Maintenance Rate: Measures the ability of LED luminaires to maintain light output during their lifespan.

2. Main Testing Standards

• IES LM-79: Standard for measuring electrical and photometric characteristics of solid-state lighting products.
• IES LM-80: Test method for lumen maintenance rate of LED light sources.
• IES LM-82: Performance testing of LED light engines and integrated LED lamps at different temperatures.
• GB/T 24823-2024: China’s performance standard for LED modules for general lighting, implemented on June 1, 2025.

IV. Detailed Lighting Energy Efficiency Certification Process

Although energy efficiency certification processes vary across major global markets, they generally include the following basic steps:

1. Application & Document Preparation: Confirm the target market and applicable certification, and prepare product technical documents.
2. Sample Testing: Submit samples to an accredited laboratory for comprehensive photoelectric performance, safety, and energy efficiency testing.
3. Report Review: The certification body conducts technical review of the test report.
4. Certificate Issuance: Issue the certification certificate after successful review.
5. Market Supervision: Certified products are subject to regular market sampling inspections to ensure continuous compliance.

Key Timelines

• Implementation of China’s new standard for road and tunnel lighting (GB 37478-2025): June 1, 2026.
• Implementation of US DOE new regulations: January 1, 2025.
• Deadline for transition to LED module performance standard (GB/T 24823-2024): June 1, 2026.

V. GTG Testing Group’s Energy Efficiency Certification Service Advantages

Facing complex and changing global energy efficiency certification requirements, GTG Testing Group provides one-stop solutions with a comprehensive service system and technical strength:

1. Professional Testing Capabilities

• Equipped with high-precision integrating sphere systems, goniophotometers, and a full set of environmental test equipment.
• Proficient in testing methods specified in LM-79, LM-80, LM-82, and national/international standards.
• Offers full-item testing services from photoelectric parameters to lumen maintenance rate.

2. Global Certification Services

• Covers certification needs in major markets such as China, the United States, the European Union, and Latin America.
• Tracks updates to national regulations in a timely manner and provides forward-looking compliance recommendations.
• Establishes cooperation with multiple international certification bodies to ensure the authority of certificates.

3. Cost Optimization Solutions

• Serial certification strategy to significantly reduce per-model certification costs.
• Pre-testing and gap analysis services to avoid the risk of formal certification failure.
• One-stop multi-country certification solutions to reduce repeated investment by enterprises.

4. Continuous Compliance Support

• Provides regulatory dynamic monitoring and early warning services.
• Full-cycle management of certificate maintenance and updates.
• Technical support for responding to market supervision inspections.

Energy efficiency certification has become an essential condition and technical barrier for lighting enterprises to participate in global competition. As national standards continue to improve, advancing high-efficiency product certification strategies in advance will be the key for enterprises to win future markets.

With profound technical accumulation and global certification experience, GTG Testing Group provides professional and efficient energy efficiency certification services for lighting enterprises, helping products smoothly enter target markets and seize opportunities in the green and low-carbon wave.