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    1. Manufacturing Services & Testing
    2. Standards

    EPA provides guidance for LM-80 reports in Energy Star submissions

    June 24, 2011
    A draft document provides guidance regarding lumen-maintenance test data of LED sub-components to support the Energy Star qualification of LED-based luminaires and lamps.

    The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing guidance regarding lumen-maintenance performance data used to support the Energy Star qualification of LED-based lamps and luminaires.

    Specifically this relates to test reports, generated according to IES LM-80-08, for LED packages, LED arrays and LED modules. The most commonly-employed approach to fulfilling Energy Star lumen-maintenance performance requirements for lamps and luminaires is through projections based upon such LM-80 test reports.

    The draft version of this guidance has been developed in consultation with LED package and array manufacturers to ensure it is informed by the latest technological developments in solid-state lighting (SSL) subcomponents, says the EPA.

    Questions or concerns should be directed to Alex Baker at (202) 343-9272, or [email protected], by Friday, July 15, 2011. EPA expects to finalize this guidance by the end of July.

    In a cover letter, Baker explained that the draft guidance document relates to subcomponent-level performance data and addresses topics not explicitly covered in Energy Star lighting specifications because of the quickly evolving nature of SSL technology. In particular, it addresses technical topics including: the content of IES LM-80 test reports, case temperature measurements, sample-set correlated color temperatures, successor (next-generation) devices, and LED array testing.

    Prompted by the consolidation of separate Energy Star lighting specifications into the recently-completed Energy Star Luminaires V1.0 specification, this guidance builds upon related content in the Manufacturer’s Guide for Qualifying Solid State Lighting Luminaires, developed to support the SSL Luminaire specification.

    EPA says that the objective of the guidance document is to “facilitate robust testing which builds upon industry best practices and helps maintain confidence in Energy-Star-qualified lighting products, while not unnecessarily burdening suppliers to our manufacturing partners.

    “Once final, EPA intends for this guidance to be effective immediately. We recognize that certain accommodations may be warranted for testing that is already under way, and we encourage manufacturers to bring such circumstances to our attention.”