Product Certifications

ETL

Knowing the safety of light bulbs and other light fixtures is a prerequisite everyone should be aware of before they make a buying decision. While many of us learn to look for safety marks like UL and/ or ETL on the lights’ packaging over a period of time, we don’t really know what makes these symbols important and how they ensure the products we are buying are safe to use?

What is ETL?

ETL (Edison Testing Laboratories) is a lighting products’ testing laboratory headquartered in London. It certifies electronic products based on their performance, electromagnetic compatibility, and safety measures. ETL functions under Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, or NRTLs*.

Unlike UL that publishes its own standards to conduct product tests, ETL doesn’t publish separate standards. It, instead, follows the ones published by other NRTLs and are hence recognized by OSHA.

Getting an ETL Mark

An ETL mark on a product ensures the said product meets the bearing requirements for safety standards. It does not end at an ETL certification being provided to the manufacturer at once. Regular product and site inspections are carried out every now and then to ensure that the products being manufactured match the one that was originally tested. Needless to say, getting and then maintaining an ETL badge is no child’s play.

ETL & Choierled.com

Since the safety of our customers is one of our primary concerns, many products that you buy at Choierled are tested and certified by ETL  (while the others are UL-listed – UL being a well-known equivalent). <Have to mention the ETL certified products that we have on our website.>

*An NRTL is an independent, non-government laboratory recognized by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) as suitable to test products to applicable safety standards.

ETL-certification – At a glance

• ETL-certified LED lights are safe to use
• ETL-certified LED lights are eco-friendly
• ETL-certified LED lights are hazard-proof

Are you already using ETL-certified LED lights? If yes, we’d love to know what all changes have you experienced so far. If not, what stops you from switching to our range of certified products?

UL

With electronics comes a threat of short-circuits and even fire at times. Certain regulations should be followed by the manufacturing industries to manufacture products that meet those guidelines so people can use them without fear.

Who exactly sets these regulations and guidelines? Who does the testing to ensure that the guidelines are being followed?

Ever come across marks like UL, cUL, and cULus ( followed by either ‘listed’ or ‘recognized’) on the lights that you buy for residential and commercial needs? What does that exactly mean?

What is UL?

Founded in the year 1894 with the sole purpose to increase safety measures, UL (Underwriter Laboratories) is a well-known mark for product safety in the electronics industry. When we talk about electronics and electrical gadgets, safety comes first to the mind. How the product will perform under varied temperatures and environmental conditions can be concluded only with testing.

It is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that test products for established, self-published safety standards. UL is a well-known listing recognized around the globe.

Getting a UL Mark

UL is an independent organization that tests products and certifies them based on their safety standards. Fire protection and electrical safety are the two major parameters that UL focuses on while testing the electronic products. As per UL, “We connect people to safer, more secure, more sustainable products, services, experiences, and environments – enabling smarter choices and better lives.”

UL & Choierled.com

At Choierled.com, we are highly concerned about the safety of our customers and their surroundings. This is why we don’t mind going an extra mile to get our products tested for safety. Almost all our products are UL-listed, ensuring safe and secure use in any condition.

For residential lighting, LED Tubes, LED Bulbs, LED Downlights and LED Flush Mount Lights, and for commercial lighting, LED High Bay Lights, LED Panel Lights, LED Troffer Lights, and LED Canopy Lights are UL-listed at Choierled.com. Choose smart; choose wisely. Shop with Choierled.com and get covered for all lighting needs at one place.

UL-certification – At a glance

• UL-certified LED lights are safe to use
• UL-certified LED lights are eco-friendly
• UL-certified LED lights are hazard-proof

Are you already using UL-certified LED lights? If yes, we’d love to know what all changes have you experienced so far. If not, what stops you from switching to our range of certified products?

DLC

Intrigued by the mark and/ or the symbol of DLC that you see on the description and packaging of certain lighting products you buy? Ever thought about the process lighting manufacturers go through to make sure you get the right kind of lighting? As we are aware, well-illuminated spaces are very important for taking out our daily chores and so is the importance of having the surety of using the products that are tested on several parameters.

Who actually tests the products that we use? Certain organizations come together and set guidelines that help them define what quality products are. DLC is one such organization that is helping make the world a bright place.

What is DLC?

DLC (DesignLights Consortium) is a non-profit institution that provides badges to companies for manufacturing products that meet certain guidelines aimed at better performance. Using DLC-certified products, you can stay assured about using highly energy-efficient products in your commercial space.

DLC-certified products are all about innovation and expertise, so they leave an impact on the users. Per DLC, “The DLC 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. Through these partnerships, the DLC establishes product quality specifications, facilitates thought leadership, and provides information, education, tools, and technical expertise.”

When you buy DLC-certified lights, you not only enjoy better performance but also earn money in the form of rebates. This is a government-run program where you are incentivized with money-back in the form of a rebate.

Getting a DLC Mark

To achieve a DLC badge, the products undergo rigorous third-party tests and meeting the criterion is a tough job. The product(s) should operate for a minimum of 50,000 hours with at least 70% Lumen-output maintenance to be eligible for a DLC badge. To ensure the customers that the product is high-quality, it is important for the manufacturers to also cover 5-year Manufacturer Warranty.

Why are DLC-certified Products Rebate-eligible?

Incentives like rebates and discounts help increase program-participation on a large scale. DLC is focused on providing high-performing and efficient commercial-grade lighting. So more and more people switch to LED lights, they are offered monetary benefits like rebates. DLC-certified lights are hence rebate-eligible.

Different state governments, however, follow different guidelines for these incentives.

DLC & Choierled.com

At Choierled.com, we lay emphasis on the quality and performance of the lights we manufacture. Our list of DLC-listed products like LED Pole Lights, LED High Bay Lights, a few products in LED Tubes, LED Panel Lights, and LED Wall Packs to testify our brand motto. Invest in DLC-listed products by Choierled.com and illuminate your commercial space with the best in technology.

DLC-certification – At a glance

• DLC-certified LED lights are energy-efficient
• DLC-certified LED lights are cost-efficient
• DLC-certified LED lights are rebate-eligible

Are you already using DLC-certified LED lights? If yes, we’d love to know what all changes have you experienced so far. If not, what stops you from switching to our range of certified products?

ENERGY STAR

We are surrounded by electronics that help us fulfill our various needs. Maintaining them is no easy job. They consume a lot of energy and may require a lot of maintenance on your part. They may also pose threat to the environment in one form or the other.

When you buy electronics – like lights – for residential purpose, you may very well see a small sticker wherein Energy Star ratings are given. More the number of stars more is the energy-efficiency delivered by the product. But what exactly is Energy Star and what does it really signify?

What is Energy Star?

Energy Star is a symbol provided to residential-grade electrical products that are energy-efficient. This is a trusted and government-backed organization that helps us protect the environment by adopting energy-efficient practices.

Energy Star certified products are known to reduce the carbon footprint on the earth caused by the inefficient use of energy, saving it from further harm. The mark also helps the customers choose products that are eco-friendly and help them reduce the amount they pay as Utility Bills every billing cycle. Needless to say, the products marked Energy Star certified (with a higher number of stars) are high on quality, features, and performance.

Getting an Energy Star Mark

Product-testing for Energy Star certification is based on stringent tests and the products thus marked Energy Star-certified are rebate-eligible. That is, you get paid for investing in eco-friendly products in the form of rebates by the government.

Whether a product earns the Energy Star label or not is based on certain guidelines set by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), with the emphasis being on products that, as stated on the website of Energy-star, “deliver the features and performance demanded by consumers, in addition to increased energy efficiency.”

Why is Energy Star-certified Products Rebate-eligible?

Incentives like rebates and discounts help increase program-participation on a large scale. Energy Star is focused on providing high-performing and efficient home lighting. So more and more people switch to LED lights, they are offered monetary benefits like rebates. Energy Star-certified lights are hence rebate-eligible.

Different state governments, however, follow different guidelines for these incentives.

Energy Star & Choierled.com

At Choierled.com, LED Bulbs, LED Downlights and LED Flush Mount Fixtures are certified by Energy Star to be high on features and quality, while also helping reduce the carbon footprint from mother Earth. Now no more worries about lighting bills soaring sky high!

Energy Star-certification – At a glance

• Energy Star-certified LED lights are energy-efficient
• Energy Star-certified LED lights are cost-efficient
• Energy Star-certified LED lights are rebate-eligible
• Energy Star-certified LED lights are eco-friendly

Are you already using Energy Star-certified LED lights? If yes, we’d love to know what all changes have you experienced so far. If not, what stops you from switching to our range of certified products?

 

RoHS

The lights that we buy to illuminate our world are actually taking the world on a downward spiral. Many toxic elements are combined to manufacture lights, mercury being the top one in use in incandescent light fixtures. Not only do these lighting fixtures consume a lot of energy to heat up and glow, but their recycling process is also equally hazardous.

So, what is the solution?

Shifting to better lights that are free from hazardous substances is one sure-shot way of ensuring this. RoHS is an organization that tests products to ensure they are not manufactured using any restricted materials.

What is RoHS?

Originated in the European Union, RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. RoHS compliance restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products. It is important from the sustainable-energy point of view.

The substances banned under RoHS are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (CrVI), and four different phthalates (DEHP, BBP, BBP, DIBP), among others. The restricted materials are hazardous for the environment and they even pollute the landfills. Moreover, they are dangerous in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling.

Getting a RoHS Mark

Portable RoHS analyzers, also known as X-ray fluorescence or XRF metal analyzers, are used for testing (that includes screening and verification) the RoHS compliance.

RoHS & Choierled.com

At Choierled.com, we are highly concerned about the Earth. We make sure the products you buy from us are RoHS-compliant and hence free from restricted materials. Products like <Have to mention the ETL certified products that we have on our website.>

RoHS-certification – At a glance

• RoHS-certified LED lights are non-toxic
• RoHS-certified LED lights are eco-friendly

Are you already using RoHS-certified LED lights? If yes, we’d love to know what all changes have you experienced so far. If not, what stops you from switching to our range of certified products?