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    1. Manufacturing Services & Testing
    2. Standards

    DOE and IESNA work together on solid-state lighting standards

    July 26, 2006
    The US Department of Energy and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America have signed an MOU to accelerate the development of industry standards for solid-state lighting.

    The US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together on the development of industry metrics and standards for solid-state lighting (SSL) technology.

    Such metrics will be one of the foundations for the DOE Energy Star criteria for solid-state lighting. Energy Star is a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products (see SSL partnership collaborates on draft Energy Star criteria ).

    The MOU serves to solidify and strengthen the ongoing collaborative relationship between DOE and IESNA. The agreement outlines five broad goals for joint DOE-IESNA efforts:

    • Promote and support the DOE Building Technologies Program and the development of DOE efficiency standards by gathering input from technical experts, and by developing appropriate IESNA standards and procedures
    • Develop and maintain guides and procedures to assist the lighting community in the photometric measurement of SSL devices and other technologies to support DOE programs (including the development of ENERGY STAR® criteria for solid-state lighting), and to provide consistency and uniformity in photometric reports
    • Develop and maintain standards that include a focus on energy conservation strategies to benefit design professionals and users
    • Encourage the participation of DOE personnel in IESNA technical committee activities and provide the opportunity for dissemination and publication of related research
    • Develop and maintain appropriate education modules for inclusion in IESNA course materials for use by IESNA members and other organizations

    IESNA is a recognized technical authority on illumination, and communicates information on all aspects of good lighting practice to its members, the lighting community, and consumers. Through technical committees, with hundreds of qualified individuals from lighting and user communities, IESNA correlates research, investigations, and discussions to guide lighting professionals and lay persons through consensus-based lighting recommendations.

    DOE promotes standards activities

    In March 2006, DOE hosted an LED Standards Industry Workshop to provide a forum for greater cooperation and coordination among standards organizations, including the IESNA, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Commission on Illumination (CIE), and Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

    DOE continues to work with these organizations to align their individual priorities and schedules, and maintain a master roadmap of development activities.