SGS has been authorised by the DesignLights Consortium as an approved Safety Certification body for the testing and certification of LED-based horticultural lighting.

The DLC, a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the widespread adoption of high-performing commercial lighting solutions, promotes high-quality, energy-efficient lighting products in collaboration with utilities and energy efficiency program members, manufacturers, lighting designers, and federal, state, and local entities.

John Ciliege, SGS’s Global Head of NRTL said: “DLC is working hard to demonstrate that well-designed lighting products for the indoor agricultural markets have huge potential to save energy while optimizing plant growth and health. 

“With many growers and producers generating power densities equal to data centers or heavy manufacturing, we recognize the significant potential within the industry to reap the energy-reduction rewards of LED lighting and we are delighted to work in association with DLC to help luminaires access new and sustainable markets.”

SGS will undertake LED horticultural lighting tests and certifications against UL8800 from its photometric laboratories in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong and Taiwan. UL8800 represents the first set of standardized requirements specifically designed for horticultural lighting equipment and aims to address the unique safety issues applicable to horticultural luminaires, lighting components and grow systems.

DLC’s Testing and Reporting Requirements for LED-based Horticultural Lighting enable reliable and efficient horticultural products to be qualified on a new DLC Horticultural Lighting Qualified Products List (QPL). Horticultural lighting products using LEDs must comply with the provisions of this document to be eligible for listing on the DLC Solid-State Horticultural Lighting Qualified Products List (“Horticultural QPL”, "Hort QPL").

SGS’s expertise in photometrics spans the full range of industry requirements, from safety and electromagnetic compatibility to identifying hazardous substances and product performance. It offers testing and certification services to give luminaires full market access to global supply chains. From today, SGS is listed as an approved Safety Certification body on the DLC website.