Technical Requirements for LED Lighting: SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 Draft 2

The DLC is pleased to release the second draft of Technical Requirements for Solid State Lighting Version 6.0 (SSL V6.0) and LUNA V2.0 for public comment through the DLC Stakeholder Input Process. Draft 2 of DLC Technical Requirements for LED Lighting: SSL V6.0 & LUNA V2.0 was released for public comment on July 28, 2025.

This document increases efficacy thresholds, adds new product types, and enables compatibility between listed SSL and NLC products to support the integration of energy efficient lighting with other building systems in non-residential buildings and outdoor spaces. LUNA V2.0 updates include the addition of Amber LED lighting and turtle lighting to support ecosystems and as a dark sky solution to mitigate light pollution. 

Comments on this draft policy are due September 5, 2025, and may be submitted using the Comment form linked below.

SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 Timing

The timeline below summarizes the implementation schedule for both Technical Requirements. More guidance on implementation of the policy will be provided with the final release.

Introduction

Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Technical Requirements Version 6.0 (V6.0) is designed to improve the efficacy, quality, and controllability of DesignLights Consortium (DLC) listed high-performance lighting products by establishing new and updated performance requirements and reporting criteria for non-residential lighting and introduces a combined set of technical requirements, streamlining what were previously two separate documents.

Minimum efficacy increases are proposed for all DLC qualified product types, resulting in an expected average increase in threshold efficacy of 14 percent across all lighting categories, ranging from 4 percent to 30 percent, depending on product type. This increase is representative of both of improved product performance across commercial and industrial products and an indication of increasing efficacy trends since the DLC’s last efficacy increase in 2020 with SSL V5.0.

Quality of light encompasses the characteristics of lighting that include spectrum, distribution, lumen maintenance, and color maintenance, as well as application considerations like uniformity, controllability, discomfort from glare, light trespass, and light pollution. SSL V6.0 includes new listing pathways for non-white light (NWL) LED products, such as 1800K, 2000K, and amber LED products, to be listed in V6.0 with technology-specific requirements and reporting. Finally, standardized color maintenance reporting per ANSI/IES TM-35-19 is also being proposed as a step toward transitioning away from the custom color maintenance requirements introduced in V5.1.

Controllability improvements include expanded lighting controllability requirements and reporting in SSL V6.0 that support additional energy savings while promoting better lighting control for people living and working in the built environment.

LUNA is a dark sky solution that promotes rigorous performance criteria for specific categories of outdoor lighting so that lighting decision makers can be confident that their selections save energy AND follow best practices for nighttime lighting. LUNA V2.0 simplifies controls reporting by using SSL V6.0’s controllability requirements instead of its own specific controls requirements. The DLC is proposing that NWL outdoor products must meet both SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 requirements to be listed. This includes three new Turtle Lighting Primary Use Designations (PUDs).

To better support test planning and a clearer understanding of the DLC’s policy requirements, this publication also includes SSL-specific auxiliary technical requirement policies that were previously standalone documents on the DLC website.

Goals of SSL Version 6.0 and LUNA V2.0 Technical Requirements

SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 Draft 2 Informational Webinar

The DLC is hosting a webinar about the changes from Draft 1 to Draft 2 of the DLC Technical Requirements for LED Lighting. Please register at the link below if you would like to attend.

For the previous draft, the DLC hosted an informational webinar on April 15, 2025 to review the proposed updates in the SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 Technical Requirements. Please click on the link below to view the recording.

SSL V6.0 & LUNA 2.0 Draft 1 Comment Summary

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) appreciates every stakeholder who participated in the stakeholder input process and provided comments on Draft 1 of the Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Technical Requirements Version 6.0 and LUNA V2.0. The DLC read, cataloged, and considered every comment submitted during the comment period.

The comment summary is offered as a courtesy for DLC commenters and other stakeholders and is shared as a demonstration of our commitment to transparency and integrity. Please click the link below to read the summary.