DLC Technical Requirements for LED Lighting: SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0

For the past eight months, the DLC has been working intensively to update the technical requirements for both the Solid State Lighting (SSL V6.0) and Light Use for Night Applications (LUNA V2.0) programs. This effort resulted in a nearly 200-page document that consolidates several previously separate policies and reorganizes the content to better support the manufacturers, utilities, implementers, specifiers, and other stakeholders who rely on it.

The technical requirements outline the minimum performance thresholds that products must meet to be listed on the SSL Qualified Products List (QPL). Listing is required for eligibility in roughly 75% of energy-efficiency programs across North America, and the QPL is accessed by an average of 3,500 users each month. Access is free after signing up with MyDLC, while utilities and efficiency programs can join the DLC as members to receive additional benefits and exclusive resources.

As a consortium, the DLC convenes and collaborates with a broad range of industry stakeholders. Historically, the organization has viewed the lighting industry through the priorities of utilities and energy-efficiency programs. The DLC originally began as a Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) initiative, created at the request of NEEP members seeking a unified set of requirements to help identify high-quality, energy-efficient commercial LED lighting.

These programs needed a reliable resource for selecting LED products that deliver strong performance and energy savings. For outdoor applications, many utilities and municipalities also focus on reducing light pollution and protecting dark skies. With billions of dollars in annual incentives at stake, programs require a trusted mechanism to evaluate products that meet customer needs—something the DLC provides through its Qualified Products Lists.

Throughout the development of the updated document, lighting industry stakeholders and DLC consortium partners (members, committees, and collaborators) played an active role. Beginning last fall, the DLC requested feedback on several proposed updates. Draft 1, released in March, generated nearly 1,100 comments from 50 organizations. These were reviewed and used to refine the second draft. Proposals identified as overly challenging for manufacturers were removed before Draft 2 was released in July for a six-week public comment period, which produced over 300 additional comments.

The final technical requirements support the DLC’s mission by continuing to guide the industry toward more controlled lighting, stronger integration with building systems, and greater consideration for wildlife and dark-sky protection. At the same time, the final document reflects practical industry feedback on the balance between value and effort. Some proposals—such as requiring product images for new submissions—were ultimately set aside. Instead, the DLC will offer a generic image library for use until manufacturers have finalized their marketing assets.

Another proposal—requiring digital drivers for DLC Premium listing—was also removed. While digital drivers would have improved interoperability and advanced controls, many manufacturers indicated they would need to change driver suppliers, and the technology is not necessary for every installation where Premium products are used.