The ETL’s role in transforming the lighting industry

The ETL featured in Light Lines Magazine

In the Society of Light and Lighting’s (SLL) Light Lines Magazine Issue 6, ETL Programme Director Tom Lock and Sophie Parry, Chair of the Society of Light and Lighting’s Technical Publications Committee, discuss how the ETL is positioned to support the lighting industry as it navigates new energy efficiency demands. With Sophie’s in-depth industry insights, the article explores the challenges and opportunities lighting professionals face in transitioning to sustainable lighting technologies, especially in office spaces where lighting makes up a significant portion of energy use. This article offers a view of how the ETL can drive energy-efficiency in various sectors, particularly through its alignment with regulatory standards and simplified listing process. To read the full article, click here. 

The lighting industry faces a dual challenge: delivering energy efficiency and aligning with stringent carbon reduction goals. Tom Lock discusses how the ETL, as one of the world's largest databases for energy-saving technology, plays a critical role in progressing industry standards.  

As noted by Sophie the office sector is a primary target for such technologies—where lighting alone can account for up to 32% of total energy consumption. LED advancements are driving the shift away from outdated fluorescent systems, with the ETL supporting this transition by listing products that meet stringent energy-efficiency criteria ensuring only top-performing products make the list. This provides manufacturers products with a credible endorsement and helps specifiers, purchasers, and facility managers identify products that align with industry best practices.  

The lighting category on the ETL includes three specific sub-technologies: 

• Efficient White Lighting Units: These units offer high-efficiency lighting for various environments, designed to maximise energy savings while delivering optimal brightness and durability. 

• White LED Lighting Modules for Backlit Illuminated Signs: Tailored for backlit applications, these LED modules ensure efficient, long-lasting illumination for signs, helping reduce energy costs for continuous or heavy-use lighting. 

• Building Lighting Controls: This category includes devices that manage lighting systems for greater efficiency, from presence detectors to daylight detectors, allowing facility managers to further reduce energy consumption and costs by adjusting lighting based on need. 

By simplifying the selection process and promoting clarity around product standards, the ETL enables a smoother transition to energy-efficient lighting technologies. 

Tom highlights that the ETL’s recent updates allow lighting products to be eligible for direct listing, providing a simplified pathway for manufacturers to gain recognition.  

As the demand for energy-efficient products rises, so does the importance of the ETL. By listing products that fall within the top 25% in the market in their class, the ETL sets clear benchmarks that help define industry standards. This makes it easier for specifiers, facility managers, and other purchasers to identify high-performance products with confidence, ensuring that their choices meet energy-saving criteria while also supporting sustainability goals. This article in Light Lines Magazine serves as a guide for industry professionals interested in leveraging the ETL to meet client needs and drive a sustainable future for lighting. 

Read the full article in Light Lines Magazine, Issue 6, page 9, here.

Ready to showcase your lighting products on the ETL? Apply now to have your products listed. Watch our handy How to list your products on the ETL guide on Youtube or email info@etl.energysecurity.gov.uk for any application queries.