Solid-State Lighting Technical Requirements

Product Eligibility/Primary Use Designations

The DLC qualifies commercial LED luminaires, retrofit kits, linear replacement lamps, mogul (E39 and E40) screw-base replacement lamps, and four pin-base replacement lamps for CFLs for inclusion in DLC Members’ energy efficiency rebate and incentive programs. Available Primary Use Designations are prioritized and developed by DLC energy efficiency program Members. Any rebates or incentives are provided at the discretion of each individual energy efficiency program.

“Primary Use Designation” (PUD) is a specific description of use type, indicating how a product is intended to be used in application, and is based on the description provided by the manufacturer and specification sheets for the product that convey intended uses for the product. Products submitted for qualification must be marketed as and intended for one of the available Primary Use Designations below to be eligible. If a product was not qualified under all Primary Use Designations or applications that it is sold and marketed under, the user may only claim DLC qualification in reference to the Primary Use Designation or application under which a product was qualified. Products marketed for horticultural lighting uses must qualify under the horticultural lighting program and cannot qualify under the SSL lighting program. If you would like to qualify a horticultural lighting fixture, please click here.

Eligible Luminaires

  • Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Area and Roadway Luminaires. Typical street lights, parking lot lights. May be cobra-head shaped, shoe-box, etc. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Decorative Luminaires. Commonly, in-town street lights or historical reproductions, may be acorn-shaped, post-top, lantern, teardrop etc. These fixtures offer a stylish or decorative element that is clear in the luminaire design. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Outdoor Full-Cutoff Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires. Typically walkway or security lights, affixed to building wall. May be box-shaped. These products produce no uplight. For examples of eligible and non-eligible products, click the blue info button.
  • Outdoor Non-Cutoff and Semi-Cutoff Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires Typically walkway or security lights, affixed to building wall. Commonly known as “wall packs” and may be box-shaped. The products produce a non-negligible amount of uplight. Products in this group are meant to be fixed in place and provide general illumination, not directional light. For examples of eligible and non-eligible products, click the blue info button.
  • Bollards. Architectural outdoor lighting fixtures comprising short, upright ground-mounted units, typically giving off light from the top or the sides, and used to illuminate walkways, steps, or pathways. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Parking Garage Luminaires. Ceiling-mounted luminaires for use outdoors or in locations open to elements in multi-deck garages. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Fuel Pump Canopy Luminaires. Ceiling-mounted luminaires for use outdoors or in locations open to elements in gas station canopies. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Landscape/Accent Flood and Spot Luminaires. Small, low-lumen, directional luminaires intended to highlight objects and areas in outdoor lighting. Manufacturers must follow NEMA guidelines for declaring beam spread. For examples of eligible and non-eligible products, click the blue info button.
  • Architectural Flood and Spot Luminaires. Directional luminaires intended to highlight architecture, objects and areas in outdoor lighting, that do not include roadway or tunnel lighting. May include billboard lighting. Manufacturers must follow NEMA guidelines for declaring beam spread. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Stairwell/Passageway Luminaires. Corner- or surface-mounted luminaires that provide lighting in stairwells and passageways. Luminaires must meet one of the following conditions: include integral controls, operate off of remote sensors where remote sensor is packaged together with the luminaire under a single model number, or be designed to operate off of remote sensors, where the luminaire and sensors are sold separately, but the luminaire has features enabling communication with a remote sensor. Controls must assure the luminaire reverts to lower-power, lower-light output state when there are no occupants in the vicinity. See FAQs for dimming and control requirements. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Wall-Wash Luminaires. Luminaires designed to illuminate walls in interior spaces.
  • Track or Mono-Point Directional Luminaires. Usually ceiling-mounted tracks or fixed single head. Adjustable aim “cans”. Complete LED fixtures (not replacement lamps in existing cans such as PAR 38 or MR16 lamps. For examples of eligible and non-eligible products, click the blue info button.
  • Vertical Refrigerated Case Luminaires. Strip lights in refrigerator cases, vertically mounted along refrigerator case door mullions. Category covers only complete luminaires, with all necessary components. Replacement lamps are not currently eligible under this category. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Horizontal Refrigerated Case Luminaires. Strip lights in refrigerator cases, horizontally mounted along refrigerator case shelves or canopies. Category covers only complete luminaires, with all necessary components. Replacement lamps are not currently eligible under this category. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Display Case Luminaires. Strip lights. Usually mounted horizontally at frame edges of glass case. Replacement lamps such as MR16 or PAR 38 lamps are not eligible. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • 1×4, 2×2, and 2×4 Luminaires for Ambient Lighting of Interior Commercial Spaces. Common recessed, suspended, or surface-mounted fixtures intended to provide ambient lighting in settings such as office spaces, schools, retail stores, and other commercial environments. Products submitted in these categories must meet the stated form factors with a tolerance of ±4 inches. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Direct Linear Ambient Luminaires. Suspended- or surface-mounted luminaires or recessed luminaires, no wider than 12″, designed to provide direct lighting in indoor spaces. Products may be designed to be installed end-to-end to create long chains, and may be described as direct, indirect, semi-direct, semi-indirect, or general ambient, depending on intended lighting distribution. Utilitarian “strip” style fixtures are also eligible under this category. Products intended for cove lighting are not currently eligible under this category. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Linear Ambient Luminaires with Indirect Component. Suspended-mounted luminaires or recessed luminaires, no wider than 12″, designed to provide ambient lighting in indoor spaces, including an intentional lighting component that is indirect. Products may be designed to be installed end-to-end to create long chains, and may be described as indirect, semi-direct, semi-indirect, direct-indirect, indirect-direct, or general ambient, depending on intended lighting distribution. Utilitarian “strip” style fixtures are not eligible under this category. Products intended for cove lighting are not currently eligible under this category. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • High-Bay Luminaires for Commercial and Industrial Buildings. Pendant, recessed, or surface-mounted fixtures specific for indoor high ceiling spaces (intended for ceilings ≥25′). For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Low-Bay Luminaires for Commercial and Industrial Buildings. Pendant, recessed, or surface-mounted fixtures specific for indoor ceiling spaces (intended for <25′). For examples, click the blue info button.
  • High-Bay Aisle Luminaires for Commercial and Industrial Buildings. Pendant or surface-mounted fixtures specific for indoor high ceiling spaces (intended for ceilings ≥25′), in locations that require lighting of aisles. For examples, click the blue info button.

Eligible Retrofit Kits

  • Retrofit Kits for Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Area and Roadway Luminaires. Integrated-style kits that replace all reflectors and optical systems of existing luminaires. Not screw-in “lamps” intended as HID replacements. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Retrofit Kits for Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Decorative Luminaires. Integrated-style kits that replace all reflectors and optical systems of existing luminaires. Not screw-in “lamps” intended as HID replacements. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Retrofit Kits for Large Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Area and Roadway Luminaires. Integrated-style kits that replace all reflectors and optical systems of existing luminaires. Not screw-in “lamps” intended as HID replacements. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Retrofit Kits for Outdoor Full-Cutoff Wall-Mounted Luminaires. Integrated-style kits that replace all reflectors and optical systems of existing luminaires. Not screw-in “lamps” intended as HID replacements. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Retrofit Kits for Parking Garage Luminaires. Integrated-style kits that replace all reflectors and optical systems of existing luminaires. Not screw-in “lamps” intended as HID replacements. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Retrofit Kits for Fuel Pump Canopy Luminaires. Integrated-style kits that replace all reflectors and optical systems of existing luminaires. Not screw-in “lamps” intended as HID replacements. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Integrated-Style Retrofit Kits for 2×2, 1×4, and 2×4 Luminaires for Ambient Lighting of Interior Commercial Spaces. Retrofit systems which replace the entire optical systems of the existing luminaire and fully integrate a replacement light source, optics, and reflective panel, where the panel connects with the fixture housing front along two opposing sides or more and when installed, fully conceals the interior of the existing housing. These retrofit kits may not employ existing lamp holders or “pin” bases, and retrofit kits that have exposed LEDs, tube style lenses, or bar-style components are not eligible. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Linear-Style Retrofit Kits for 2×2, 1×4, and 2×4 Luminaires for Ambient Lighting of Interior Commercial Spaces. Tube-shaped or strip-style retrofit kits for troffers. Products in this category do not replace the optical systems of the existing luminaire, and leave the basic form of the existing luminaire intact or exposed. These retrofit kits may not employ existing lamp holders or “pin” bases. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Retrofit Kits for Direct Linear Ambient Luminaires. Retrofit kits for “strip” luminaires and other types of linear ambient luminaires. Do not employ existing lamp holders or “pin” bases. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Retrofit Kits for High-Bay Luminaires for Commercial and Industrial Buildings. Integrated-style kits that replace all reflectors and optical systems of existing luminaires. Not screw-in “lamps” intended as HID replacements. For examples, click the blue info button.

  • Retrofit Kits for Low-Bay Luminaires for Commercial and Industrial Buildings. Integrated-style kits that replace all reflectors and optical systems of existing luminaires. Not screw-in “lamps” intended as HID replacements. For examples, click the blue info button.

Eligible Linear Replacement Lamps

Changes effective for V5.1 applications (accepted July 1, 2020):
Due to the removal of the reference housing testing requirement, Type-C linear replacement lamps with a system configuration of 1-lamp-to-1-external driver will be listed in a new Primary Use Designation titled “1-Lamp External Driver (UL Type C) Lamps”. Additionally, Type-C T5HO linear replacement lamps with a system configuration of 2-lamp-to-1-external driver will be listed in a new Primary Use Designation titled “2-Lamp External Driver (UL Type C) Lamps” (that is, this Primary Use will be newly applicable to the T5HO Four-Foot Linear Replacement Lamp General Application). These changes can be seen in Technical Requirements Tables V5.1.

  • T8 Two-Foot Linear Replacement Lamps. LED lamps intended to replace 2-foot T8 or T12 fluorescent lamps. These LED lamps shall be 24 inches long and employ a G13 base. Marketing material shall indicate that they are intended to replace T8 fluorescent lamps of the same length. Products of different lengths and bases are not eligible under this general application. Products intended to operate on magnetic ballasts are not eligible.
  • T8 Three-Foot Linear Replacement Lamps. LED lamps intended to replace 3-foot T8 or T12 fluorescent lamps. These LED lamps shall be 36 inches long and employ a G13 base. Marketing material shall indicate that they are intended to replace T8 fluorescent lamps of the same length. Products of different lengths and bases are not eligible under this general application. Products intended to operate on magnetic ballasts are not eligible.
  • T8 Four-Foot Linear Replacement Lamps. LED lamps intended to replace 4-foot T8 or T12 fluorescent lamps. These LED lamps shall be 48 inches long and employ a G13 base. Marketing material shall indicate that they are intended to replace T8 fluorescent lamps of the same length. Products of different lengths and bases are not eligible under this general application. Products intended to operate on magnetic ballasts are not eligible.
  • T5 Four-Foot Linear Replacement Lamps. LED lamps intended to replace T5 fluorescent lamps (note, not T5 High Output or T5HO). These LED lamps shall be 46 inches long and employ a G5 base. Marketing material shall indicate that they are intended to replace T5 fluorescent lamps of the same length. Products of different lengths, bases, or marketed as intended to replace other types of fluorescent lamps are not eligible under this general application.
  • T5HO Four-Foot Linear Replacement Lamps. LED lamps intended to replace T5HO fluorescent lamps. These LED lamps shall be 46 inches long and employ a G5 base. Marketing material shall indicate that they are intended to replace T5HO fluorescent lamps of the same length. Products of different lengths, bases, or marketed as intended to replace other types of fluorescent lamps are not eligible under this general application.
  • T8 Eight-Foot Linear Replacement Lamps. LED lamps intended to replace 8-foot T8 or T12 fluorescent lamps. These LED lamps shall be 96 inches long and employ a FA8 base. Marketing material shall indicate that they are intended to replace T8 fluorescent lamps of the same length. Products of different lengths and bases are not eligible under this general application. Products intended to operate on magnetic ballasts are not eligible.
  • U-Bend Replacement Lamps. LED lamps intended to replace U-bend T8 or T12 fluorescent lamps. These LED lamps shall employ a G13 base. Marketing material shall indicate that they are intended to replace T8 or T12 fluorescent lamps of the same shape. Products of different bases are not eligible. For examples, click the blue info button.
  • Linear Replacement Lamps (UL Type A). Two-foot, three-foot, four-foot, eight-foot, and U-bend LED “tubes” designed to replace two-foot, three-foot, four-foot, eight-foot, and U-bend fluorescent lamps, respectively. Products in this primary use designation employ lamp holders to connect to the fixture being retrofitted and are designed to be “plug and play” replacements for fluorescent lamps. That is, products in this category operate utilizing an existing fluorescent ballast, and do not require mechanical or electrical changes to the fixture. Note that due to testing considerations, at this time only products that operate utilizing specific ballast types are eligible. Replacement lamps designed to operate utilizing magnetic ballasts or other types of electronic ballasts not specified are not eligible at this time. Also note that products claiming to replace T12 lamps are not eligible under Type-A primary use designations. (See Testing and Reporting Requirements for Linear Replacement Lamps for more detail on testing requirements.) Please note reference to UL type is derived from UL 1993, 4th edition, 2012-12-04 Section SA6.13.1.
  • Internal-driver/Line Voltage (UL Type B) Lamps. Two-foot, three-foot, four-foot, eight-foot, and U-bend LED “tubes” designed to replace two-foot, three-foot, four-foot, eight-foot, and U-bend fluorescent lamps, respectively. Products in this category employ lamp holders to connect to the fixture being retrofitted, but do not operate utilizing the existing fluorescent ballast. These products require rewiring of the existing fixture to bypass the ballast and send line voltage directly to the lamp holders. (See Testing and Reporting Requirements for Linear Replacement Lamps for more detail on testing requirements.) Please note reference to UL type is derived from UL 1993, 4th edition, 2012-12-04 Section SA6.13.1. ** NOTE** Internally-driven lamps that can operate utilizing a fluorescent ballast or utilizing line-voltage will be denoted as “Dual Mode” on the QPL. Products must be tested under worst-case operating condition.
  • External-driver (UL Type C) Lamps. Two-foot, three-foot, four-foot, eight-foot, and U-bend LED “tubes” designed to replace two-foot, three-foot, four-foot, eight-foot, and U-bend fluorescent lamps, respectively. Products in this category employ lamp holders to connect to the fixture being retrofitted, do not operate utilizing the existing fluorescent ballast, and require rewiring of the existing fixture to replace the ballast with an external driver. The lamp holders are then wired to receive only the low-voltage electricity that is supplied by that external driver. (See Testing and Reporting Requirements for Linear Replacement Lamps for more detail on testing requirements.) Please note reference to UL type is derived from UL 1993, 4th edition, 2012-12-04 Section SA6.13.1.
  • Dual Mode Internal Driver (UL Type A and Type B). Two-foot, three-foot, four-foot, eight-foot, and U-bend LED “tubes” designed to replace two-foot, three-foot, four-foot, eight-foot, and U-bend fluorescent lamps, respectively. Products in this category operate utilizing the existing fluorescent ballast and also have the ability to operate utilizing line voltage if the fixture is rewired to bypass the ballast. These products connect to the fixture using standard pin-base connections to the lamp holders. Note that due to testing considerations, at this time only products that operate utilizing specific ballast types are eligible. Please see the Testing Requirements for more detail. Replacement lamps designed to operate utilizing magnetic ballasts, or other types of electronic ballasts not specified, are not eligible at this time. Also note that products claiming to replace T12 lamps are not eligible under Dual-Mode primary use designations. Please note reference to UL type is derived from UL 1993, 4th edition, 2012-12-04 Section SA6.13.1.

Eligible Mogul (E39 and E40) Screw-base Replacement Lamps

  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Area and Roadway Luminaires (Internal Driver/Type B). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be bypassed and the lamp holder to be wired with line voltage, used in outdoor pole/arm-mounted area and roadway luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Outdoor Full-Cutoff Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires (Internal Driver/Type B). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be bypassed and the lamp holder to be wired with line voltage, used in outdoor wall-mounted area luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Outdoor Decorative Luminaires (Internal Driver/Type B). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be bypassed and the lamp holder to be wired with line voltage, used in outdoor decorative luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Parking Garage Luminaires (Internal Driver/Type B). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be bypassed and the lamp holder to be wired with line voltage, used in parking garage luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Fuel Pump Canopy Luminaires (Internal Driver/Type B). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be bypassed and the lamp holder to be wired with line voltage, used in fuel pump canopy luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for High-bay Luminaires (Internal Driver/Type B). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be bypassed and the lamp holder to be wired with line voltage, used in high-bay luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Low-bay Luminaires (Internal Driver/Type B). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be bypassed and the lamp holder to be wired with line voltage, used in low-bay luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Area and Roadway Luminaires (External Driver/Type C). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be replaced with an external LED driver (the lamp holder is not wired with line voltage), used in outdoor pole/arm-mounted area and roadway luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Outdoor Full-Cutoff Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires (External Driver/Type C). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be replaced with an external LED driver (the lamp holder is not wired with line voltage), used in outdoor wall-mounted area luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Outdoor Decorative Luminaires (External Driver/Type C). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be replaced with an external LED driver (the lamp holder is not wired with line voltage), used in outdoor decorative luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Parking Garage Luminaires (External Driver/Type C). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be replaced with an external LED driver (the lamp holder is not wired with line voltage), used in parking garage luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Fuel Pump Canopy Luminaires (External Driver/Type C). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be replaced with an external LED driver (the lamp holder is not wired with line voltage), used in fuel pump canopy luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for High-bay Luminaires (External Driver/Type C). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be replaced with an external LED driver (the lamp holder is not wired with line voltage), used in high-bay luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.
  • Mogul Screw-Base Replacements for HID Lamps for Low-bay Luminaires (External Driver/Type C). LED replacement lamps for HID lamps which require the existing HID ballast to be replaced with an external LED driver (the lamp holder is not wired with line voltage), used in low-bay luminaires. Only mogul-base (E39 and E40) products are eligible. Lamps are only considered qualified in the end-uses they are listed in.

Eligible Four Pin-Base Replacement Lamps for CFLs

  • Four Pin-Base Replacement Lamps for CFLs (UL Type A). G24q- and GX24q-base LED lamps, and 2G11 base lamps greater than or equal to twenty inches, designed to replace compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). At this time, G24q/GX24q and 2G11 UL Type A lamps (designed to operate utilizing the existing CFL ballast), and 2G11 UL Type B (designed to operate utilizing direct line voltage), 2G11 UL Type C (designed to operate utilizing a non-integral driver), and 2G11 UL dual mode (designed to operate utilizing the existing CFL ballast or direct line voltage) are all eligible. G24q or GX24q UL Type B lamps and UL Type C lamps, as well as products with other bases (including 2-pin products), are not eligible. At this time, only products that can operate utilizing specific ballast types are eligible. Please see the Testing Requirements for more detail. Replacement lamps designed to operate utilizing magnetic ballasts, or other types of electronic ballasts not specified, are not eligible at this time.

Eligible "Specialty" Primary Use Designations

The “Specialty” designation has been developed as an additional tool for DLC and its Member programs to employ in seeking to identify high-quality, energy-saving LED fixtures in commercial and industrial applications for certain niche applications for which DLC has not yet developed a specific Primary Use designation.

Seeking qualification of a product using this Primary Use designation is an acknowledgement of the rules of the program and a confirmation that an applicant agrees to abide by the decisions of the program. Products with a Specialty designation are not eligible for DLC Premium classification.

Eligible Color-Tunable Products

Two types of products are eligible for listing as Color-Tunable; White Tunable products and Warm-Dimming Products.

  • If a product has any functionality that enables it to actively change the color (i.e. CCT) of the emitted light, it must be submitted under the requirements for color-tunable products. This includes products with a small set of color temperature settings controlled through mechanisms such as dipswitches set at the distributor or by the installer. In general such products will be deemed color-tunable and applications must be submitted according to the color-tunable requirements. Such products can be submitted as non-color-tunable if the products are not marketed as color-tunable and the mechanism to adjust color temperature is physically locked in place through a cover or other mechanical restriction.

White-Tunable Products:

White-Tunable products have a control signal specifically for adjusting CCT while maintaining nominally constant lumen output. These products may include a second, independent dimming control. White-Tunable products include both “white-white” products that combine the output of 2 LED primaries, and products with 3 or more white and/or RGB LED primaries, so long as they only produce white light as characterized above in response to their control signal.

  • White-Tunable products are not eligible to be submitted as Single Product Applications. Both single products and product families must submit a Family Grouping Application and meet all the Family Grouping eligibility requirements. For the purposes of color tuning eligibility, the DLC’s existing requirements that a family must contain a “standardized set of LED packages/modules/arrays” and must demonstrate scalability or modularity using “any other applicable features” apply also to White-Tunable families, in that they must have identical chipsets and modular groupings of chipsets, resulting in an identical technological approach to color output.
  • The DLC requirements state that products within a family group of white-tunable products must have the same types of LEDs, and an identical technological approach to color output. This is intended to include a restriction that all products within a family group have the same tunable range. Therefore, as an example, if one version of a product can tune from 2700-5000K, while another version can tune from 2200-6500K, they must be submitted under separate applications, with independent testing.
  • White-Tunable products must meet the DLC Technical Requirements at all values of the color control signal for the General Application(s) and Primary Use(s) for which they are submitted, except for CCT. This includes minimum light output, efficacy, CRI, lumen maintenance, THD, Power Factor, and zonal distribution/spacing criteria requirements.
  • White-Tunable products must be capable of producing light at CCTs in alignment with existing maximum CCT limits for DLC qualified products.
  • There are no color temperature limitations regarding the color-tunable feature for standard product listing on the QPL. However, the existing Technical Requirements specific to the product type must be met. For instance, outdoor products are not limited to a color temperature range but must be capable of light output at ≤ 5700K (per the nominal ANSI binning descriptions). Please consult the Technical Requirements for color temperature specific to the General Application and Primary Use Designation under which the product will apply.
  • White-Tunable products CAN be classified as DLC Premium if they meet all DLC Premium classification requirements (except CCT) at all values of the color control settings. Additional documentation may be required.
  • White-Tunable products may also have field-adjustable lumen output characteristics, in which case they are also subject to the Field-Adjustable Product Testing and Reporting Requirements. If products exhibit both performance features, they must comply with both White-Tunable and Field-Adjustable Product Testing and Reporting Requirements.

Warm-Dimming Products:

Warm-Dimming products have a single input which controls both color temperature and lumen output, lowering the values of both concurrently, most typically to mimic the color temperature shift of incandescent dimming. Products that require an external control system to coordinate dimming and warming color temperature are not eligible.

  • Warm-Dimming products must meet all DLC Technical Requirements, including CCT, for the General Application(s) and Primary Use(s) for which they are submitted, as measured at the maximum output for the product. The requirements include minimum lumen output, efficacy, CRI, CCT, lumen maintenance, THD, Power Factor, and zonal distribution/spacing criteria requirements.
  • Warm-Dimming products do not need to meet DLC Technical Requirements at other input control settings, i.e. when they are dimmed below full output.
  • Warm-Dimming products CAN be classified as DLC Premium if they meet all DLC Premium classification requirements at the maximum input control setting.
  • Warm-Dimming products may also have field-adjustable lumen output under the Field-Adjustable Product Testing and Reporting Requirements, and thus be listed under both. If products exhibit both performance features, they must comply with both sets of requirements.

Eligible Dimmable and Field-Adjustable Products

Dimmable Products:

Products with Field-Adjustable Light Output:

  • Field-Adjustable Light Output is defined as a dimming type where products are capable of being adjusted to decrease or increase lumen output and wattage from the default setting. The default setting is defined as the setting at which the product emerges from production and is shipped with no adjustments to lumen output. The field-adjustable set point is fixed by the manufacturer, distributor, installer, or commissioning agent before or during installation or commissioning, via a control that is made discrete to that purpose via a proprietary process or separate control (i.e. not part of a regular occupant- or sensor-facing control system). Typically, the field-adjustable light output settings are not intended to be occupant interfacing.