Common Lighting Certifications in the U.S.

A Practical Guide to Safety, Compliance, and What Really Matters

When buying or specifying lighting products in the United States, certifications matter - but they are often misunderstood. Many people assume that certifications define the quality of a light fixture. In reality, most certifications focus on safety, compliance, and minimum performance standards, not design, comfort, or atmosphere.
This guide explains the most common lighting certifications and marks used in the U.S. market, what they actually mean, and how to understand them without letting certification labels limit good lighting choices.

UL Listed / UL Certified Primary role: Safety baseline Most recognized certification in the U.S. What It Confirms • Electrical and fire safety compliance. • Tested to applicable UL standards. • Accepted nationwide by inspectors. What to Remember UL answers one question only: “Is this fixture safe to install and use?” It does not evaluate how the light feels in a space.
ETL Listed (Intertek) Primary role: UL-equivalent safety certification. What It Confirms • Tested to the same safety standards as UL. • Fully accepted by U.S. authorities having jurisdiction. Common Misconception ETL is often mistaken as “lower tier.” In reality, ETL and UL carry equal legal weight - they are simply issued by different testing labs.
DLC (DesignLights Consortium) Primary role: Commercial lighting efficiency. What It Confirms • Meets minimum efficacy and performance thresholds. • Eligible for many utility rebate programs. Best Used For • High bay lighting. • Warehouse and industrial applications. • Outdoor and large-scale commercial projects. Important Limitation DLC focuses on efficiency - not visual comfort or atmosphere.
Energy Star Primary role: Residential energy efficiency. What It Confirms Energy savings compared to baseline products Basic performance and longevity standards. Best Used For • Consumer-facing residential lighting. • Retail and home improvement markets. Important Limitation Energy Star helps reduce energy use — it does not define how lighting should feel.
FCC Compliance Primary role: Electronic behavior regulation. What It Confirms • Electronic drivers do not cause harmful interference. • Required for products with electronic components. Important Limitation FCC compliance has nothing to do with light quality. It strictly applies to electronic emissions.
California Title 24 Primary role: State-specific energy code. What It Confirms • Compliance with California’s energy efficiency rules. • Often requires controls like dimming or sensors. Important Limitation Title 24 applies only in California, but it is one of the strictest energy codes in the U.S.

Safety and Compliance for Worry-Free Installation

Choosing lighting products with certifications such as UL Listed, DLC, and Energy Star means you're not only ensuring safety and compliance, but also receiving the highest standards of assurance. Whether for residential or commercial spaces, these certifications guarantee that our fixtures meet strict safety requirements and have passed multiple performance tests to ensure efficient and reliable operation. With these certifications, you can install with confidence, avoiding any additional compliance concerns and ensuring a smooth project completion.

Energy Efficiency to Help Reduce Operating Costs

Our lighting products are not only fully compliant with all necessary regulations but also carry Energy Star and DLC certifications, helping you significantly reduce energy consumption and operational costs. By using these energy-efficient fixtures, you’ll save on electricity bills while also making a positive contribution to the environment. Whether in residential, office, or commercial settings, our energy-efficient lighting effectively reduces energy waste, bringing long-term financial benefits. Furthermore, these certifications guarantee the high performance and durability of our fixtures, reducing the frequency of replacements and saving on maintenance costs.

Why Our Lights Are Certified (But Not Defined by It)

We believe lighting certifications matter — and that’s exactly why all of our products meet the required U.S. safety and compliance standards.
Certifications such as UL, ETL, Energy Star, or DLC ensure that a light fixture is safe, legal, and suitable for installation. These are non-negotiable fundamentals, and we take them seriously. But we don’t believe certifications alone define what makes lighting good. 

Lighting certifications are designed to answer questions like:
• Is this product safe to use?
• Does it meet electrical and energy regulations?
• Can it pass inspection?
They are not designed to answer:
• Does this light feel comfortable at night?
• Does it support the mood of a home?
• Does it enhance materials, colors, and space?
• Does it adapt to how people actually live and work?
We focus on factors certifications don’t measure — such as visual comfort, color consistency, glare control, and how light interacts with real spaces over time. That’s where design, optics, color quality, and real-world application matter.