Accuracy in LED Product Information
For the solid-state lighting (SSL) market to grow, consumers must have confidence that the products they buy are well designed
and perform to their expectations. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Lighting Facts is a voluntary pledge
program to assure that LED lighting products are represented accurately in the market. Participants pledge to use
the Lighting Facts label to document the performance of products they manufacture, sell, distribute, or promote. 2
Similar to a nutrition label, the Lighting Facts label provides a quick summary of product performance data.
By introducing transparency to the lighting supply chain, the label guards against exaggerated claims and helps ensure a
satisfactory experience for lighting buyers. Luminaire manufacturers who take the pledge agree to use the label to disclose
performance results in five areas—lumens, efficacy, watts, correlated color temperature (CCT), and color rendering index
(CRI)—as measured by the industry standard for testing photometric performance, IES LM-79-2008. Additional metrics related to
reliability, product consistency, construction, and other parameters may be considered in future editions of the label.
Today's marketplace features an increasing number of LED products, from desk lamps to outdoor lighting.
Independent testing conducted by DOE1 reveals that some of these products do not deliver on their performance claims.
Concerns include low light output, lifetimes that are shorter than reported, and poor or inconsistent color quality.
Such shortcomings could discourage consumers from accepting SSL lighting, much as problems in the quality of CFLs
slowed early market acceptance of these products.
Lighting Facts was jointly developed by DOE
and the Next Generation Lighting Industry Alliance (NGLIA) as a foundation for
successful commercialization of solid-state lighting. This technology has the potential to cut U.S. lighting energy use by one-fourth.
The program showcases LED luminaire manufacturers who commit to testing products and reporting performance results according to
industry standards. It also gives lighting buyers, designers, and energy efficiency programs the essential information to evaluate and
select products for their projects and for promotion to clients and consumers.
For more information, visit visit DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Center
or call 1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463)
1 DOE's CALiPER Program conducts independent testing of commercially available LED products.
2 The Lighting Facts label may appear only on LED lighting products, including self-contained replacement lamps and full luminaire products; it does not apply to packaged LED devices or to LED indicator applications such as flashlights, nightlights, and holiday lighting. Only LM-79 tested products may display the label.