DLC Certification Services | North American Commercial LED Lighting Compliance Expert

In the North American commercial lighting market, over 80% of government procurement and utility subsidy programs explicitly require lighting products to obtain DLC certification. This certification has become a core access symbol for LED lighting products to enter the high-end North American market.

I. DLC Certification: The "Golden Pass" for the North American Commercial Lighting Market

DLC Certification is an energy efficiency certification program initiated by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), a regional non-profit organization founded in 1996. Unlike Energy Star certification, which mainly targets residential lighting products, DLC Certification focuses on commercial LED lighting products. Its product catalog is used by utility companies across the United States to promote high-performance solid-state lighting fixtures.

Core Values:

• Government Subsidy Eligibility: In North America, any lighting product registered on the official DLC website is eligible for local government subsidies.
• Market Access Advantage: Many U.S. states and utility companies mandate the use of DLC-certified products for commercial projects.
• Authoritative Quality Endorsement: DLC-certified products are recognized as reliable, as they meet the rigorous testing standards formulated by the DesignLights Consortium (DLC).

II. Scope of Products Eligible for DLC Certification

DLC Certification covers a wide range of commercial LED lighting types, mainly including:

Fixed-Installation Lighting Fixtures:

• Road and area lighting fixtures
• High-bay/low-bay industrial fixtures
• Commercial recessed fixtures (e.g., 2x2 fixtures)

Specialized Application Lighting Fixtures:

• Wall washers and accent lighting fixtures
• Floodlights and spotlights
• Horticultural lighting fixtures (must meet DLC Horticultural Lighting QPL requirements)

Retrofit and Replacement Products:

• LED tubes (e.g., 4-foot linear replacement lamps)
• Lighting retrofitting kits

Notably, DLC Certification primarily targets commercial lighting products, while Energy Star focuses on residential products, forming a complementary relationship.

III. Core Technical Requirements for DLC Certification

Photoelectric Performance Requirements:

• Minimum Luminous Efficacy: Specific efficacy requirements vary by product category (e.g., 70-85 lm/W in earlier versions).
• Color Temperature and Color Rendering: Requirements for Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) and Color Rendering Index (CRI).
• Light Output Distribution: Luminous flux distribution in specific areas must comply with standards.

Reliability Requirements:

• Lumen Maintenance: Evaluates the fixture’s ability to maintain light output over its lifespan.
• Warranty Period: Typically requires a minimum 5-year warranty.

Electrical Performance Requirements:

• Power Factor: Generally required to be ≥ 0.9.
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): Required to be ≤ 20%.

IV. Essential Test Reports for DLC Certification

The following key test reports and documents are required for DLC Certification applications:

Core Test Reports:

• IES LM-79 Test Report: Covers testing of the fixture’s photoelectric performance characteristics.
• IES LM-80 Test Report: Lumen maintenance testing for LED packages/modules.
• ISTMT Test Report: In-Situ Temperature Measurement Test report.
• TM-21 Lifetime Analysis: Predicts LED lifespan based on LM-80 data.

Supplementary Documentation:

• English product specification sheet
• Installation manual
• Safety certification report (e.g., UL or ETL certification)
• Five-year warranty statement

V. Detailed DLC Certification Process

The DLC Certification process includes the following key steps:

Preparatory Stage:

• Determine the applicable DLC standard version for the product.
• Prepare all necessary technical documents and test reports.

Testing and Evaluation Stage:

• Complete all required tests at an accredited laboratory.
• Obtain full test reports.

Application and Review Stage:

• Register and submit the application on the DLC website.
• Pay relevant fees.
• DLC review (usually takes 2-3 weeks).

Listing and Maintenance Stage:

• Once approved, the product is listed on the DLC Qualified Products List (QPL).
• Undergo regular supervision and maintain compliance with standard updates.

VI. Latest Trends and Challenges in DLC Certification

Continuous Standard Upgrades:DLC standards are constantly updated; for example, versions V5.0 and V5.1 have been implemented, imposing higher requirements on luminous efficacy, dimming performance, and color quality. These updates require manufacturers to promptly adjust product designs to meet the new standards.

Elevated Technical Requirements:New versions have added dimming function requirements—all DLC-recognized products must be dimmable. Meanwhile, requirements for color rendering indices such as Rf, Rg, Rcs,h1, Ra, and R9 have become more stringent.

Intensified Market Competition:As more enterprises enter the North American market, DLC Certification has become a basic threshold. Products need to achieve higher-level certifications such as Premium to qualify for preferential subsidy rates.

VII. GTG Group’s DLC Certification Service Advantages

Faced with complex and evolving DLC Certification requirements, GTG Group provides one-stop solutions for enterprises with its comprehensive service system and technical strength:

Professional Testing Capabilities:

• Equipped with high-precision goniophotometers and integrating sphere testing systems to ensure accurate and reliable test data.
• Proficient in core test standards such as IES LM-79, IES LM-80, and TM-21.
• Offers full-item testing services from photoelectric performance to lumen maintenance.

End-to-End Service Support:

• Full-process services from standard interpretation, gap analysis, and product pre-testing to official certification.
• Professional team guides the preparation of technical documents and application materials.
• Provides full assistance with DLC website registration and application submission.

Cost Optimization Solutions:

• Pre-testing and rectification suggestions to avoid the risk of official certification failure.
• Serial certification strategies to significantly reduce the certification cost per model.
• Timely alerts on standard updates to prevent repeated certifications due to expired standards.

Efficient Response Mechanism:

• 24/7 technical consultation.
• Expedited testing channels to shorten the certification cycle.
• Dedicated project managers to track progress and ensure on-time delivery.

DLC Certification has evolved from an "option" to a "necessity" for LED lighting products entering the North American market. With continuous standard upgrades and intensified market competition, choosing an experienced certification partner not only ensures smooth certification but also helps enterprises save time and costs, enabling them to seize opportunities in the North American market amid the green and low-carbon wave.

Backed by profound technical accumulation and rich DLC Certification experience, GTG Group has successfully helped numerous LED lighting enterprises obtain certification, providing professional guarantees for their products to thrive in the North American market.