Q: What is the value of the program?
The simple “truth-in-advertising” labeling program provides consumers with the assurance that the performance of their LED lighting products has been independently verified and that they have an easy online tool to compare LED lighting products and manufacturers. Along with the LED Lighting Facts label that you will receive for your product, your product will be publicly searchable from the online database to consumers, retailers and distributors and lighting specifiers. The widely recognized LED Lighting Facts label, list of products and accredited test lab facilities will continue to be a valuable and trusted resource the marketplace can rely on.
Q: The program used to be free. Why do we have to pay to participate going forward?
As you know, in the past, DOE’s funding support for the program covered all the costs, allowing it to be offered at no cost to all users. Now that DOE is no longer funding the program, D+R wants to continue the program as a resource for consumers, and will be looking to manufacturers and testing labs to share in the costs to support the program.
All products listed and labeled, as well as listing as an Approved Lab, will continue to be free during May.
In June, we will introduce a flexible and affordable product listing maintenance subscription service that includes options for monthly or annual payment plans, as well as an annual fee for accredited testing lab facilities to participate on the Approved Lab list.
Q: How will the products that are currently listed in the searchable database going to be managed? Will manufacturers be charged any fees for these listed products?
We refer to these products as “Legacy Products”, including all new products added in May. These products will remain listed on the publicly searchable database through October, 2018. Before then, manufacturers will have the option to update their list of Legacy products to indicate whether products are still Active in the market, have changed and need to be updated (e.g., new versions will have to be submitted as “new” products), or need to be archived. There will be no additional fees for continued listing of Legacy products, however, by November, if Legacy Products are not claimed by a manufacturer for continued listing, they will be archived and there will no longer be access to the Label.
