Transition to SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 Requirements

The DLC Technical Requirements for LED Lighting, released November 3, 2025, combine both SSL V6.0 & LUNA V2.0 and include additional policies previously published separately.  These combined policies are designed to improve the efficacy, quality and controllability of DLC listed high-performance LED lighting products by establishing new and updated performance requirements and reporting criteria for non-residential lighting.

How will the QPL Change with V6.0 and LUNA V2.0?

SSL Version 6.0 and LUNA V2.0 add a number of a number of pathways to qualify new product types, such as solar powered luminaires, and non-white light and Amber LED products. In addition to the new product types, SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 add a number of requirements, such as product images, published spec sheets, sustainability measures, field adjustable distribution tables, new controls categories and controls options tables.

In general, reporting on these new criteria was not required prior to SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0, and products qualified under previous versions will not have the information to complete these fields until they are updated. Products listed under SSL V5.1 and LUNA V1.0 and older may have these fields as blank or a negative response, which may not reflect the actual capability of the product. This incomplete information may be displayed until the QPL is fully transitioned to SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0, on December 15, 2026.

Where can I view the new Technical Requirements?

• LED (SSL) Technical Requirements V6.0 are available here.
• Light Usage for Night Applications (LUNA) Technical Requirements V2.0 are included in the same document and available at the same link above.

What is changing in SSL V6.0?

SSL V6.0 contains:

• New product eligibility including: Amber LED and non-white light/low CCT products, primary use designations for Turtle Lighting, full color-tunable and a new categorization for mogul (E39/E40) and medium screw-base (E26) replacements for HID replacements
• Increases to efficacy thresholds by 14% (weighted average) for standard products, and by 12% (weighted average) for premium products.
• Introduction of controls categories to organize listed products by their controls capabilities along with threshold capabilities for products qualifying as premium
  • This may require models that were previously qualified as Premium to separate into different models that meet the threshold Controls Category for Premium listings and those that do not meet the threshold and may only be qualified as Standard.
  • Products with a controls category of 0, ” A luminaire, lamp, or retrofit with no integral control capabilities”, are ineligible for Premium qualification. 
  • Products qualifying to DLC Premium must have capabilities resulting in a control category 1-6.
• Restructuring of controls reporting and display through the controls options tables
  • Submitted association claims between SSL Luminaire to NLC System within the controls options table will undergo a verification by the SSL and NLC manufacturer to confirm an ongoing business relationship.
• Lowering of maximum CCT limit for outdoor product types
• New reporting requirements for Field Adjustable Products; Field Adjustable Light Output (FALO), Field Adjustable Light Distribution (FALD), and Field Adjustable Color Temperature (FACT).
  • New designation for aimable vs. FALD products
• Re-designations of Wallpack primary use designation as well as distribution threshold changes to account for uplight.
• New reporting requirements for sustainability certification/qualifications
• New non-performance reporting information such as product specification sheets and product images
• Definition and process change for the use of tolerances (see Technical Requirements document for details)
• Conversion of some specialty designation primary use designations to regular (non-specialty) primary use designations along with distribution threshold requirements.
• Optional reporting of ANSI/IES TM-35-19 CS4 and CS7 color maintenance values.
• Pathway to report and demonstrate compliance for alternative LEDs

Please review the full SSL V6.0/LUNA V2.0 requirements for details.

What is changing in LUNA V2.0?

Effective on January 5th, 2026 LUNA V2.0 will align the controllability reporting metrics with SSL V6.0 and add new pathways for non-white light (NWL) LED products and turtle lighting PUDs. View the full LUNA V2.0 requirements.

Additionally,

• Lamps and retrofits are now eligible
• Testing requirements have been loosened to allow for LM-79/Full Color Reports to be conducted at any light output
• New spectral reporting metrics, i.e. S/P ratio, % blue
• New identification of compliance with the Hawaii Code requirements (Hawaii County and Maui County; <=2% blue and traffic color compliant)
• Field Adjustable Light Output Default Set Point Requirement
• Field Adjustable Color Temperature Default Set Point Requirement

When can I submit SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 applications?

SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 applications may be submitted beginning on January 5, 2026.

SSL V5.1 and LUNA V1.0 listed products must be updated to V6.0 and V2.0, respectively, as of October 9, 2026 or they will be delisted on December 15, 2026.

The timeline below provides a high level overview on the transition timeline. Additional timing details will be provided during the SSL V6.0 & LUNA V2.0 Submission Guidance Webinar.

How do I update my products to SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0?

The DLC recognizes that the SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 Technical Requirements result in the need to provide additional product information and potentially perform new testing and/or product design changes to maintain DLC qualification.

The pathway to upgrade products from V5.1 to V6.0 depends on how your products’ current performance stacks up against the V6.0 technical requirements as well as any product design or changes otherwise that would necessitate testing to confirm compliance with the technical requirements.

SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 product update application forms will be available on each Submit a Product page by January 5, 2026.

SSL and LUNA Level 1 Applications

SSL and LUNA Level 2 Applications

Details below summarize the testing requirements and documentation requirements in the SSL V5.1 and LUNA V1.0 to SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 Transition.

Testing Requirements for Technical Requirements Transition

For products that have changed since their last qualification:

Testing and documentation will need to be provided to demonstrate compliance based on the extent of the product design changes. Manufacturers should evaluate the product changes and determine if previous testing and performance information is still applicable and representative of the latest product design. In application submission, submitters have an opportunity to describe the product changes which will be evaluated by a reviewer.

The application requirements may range from a specification sheet, safety documentation, and completed application form (for example model number changes only), to requiring all new testing and documentation (for example when a new LED and driver are now used with the product).

If necessary testing provided to demonstrate compliance with the technical requirements will need to be conducted to the ANSI/IES LM-79(-19 or -24) standard.

Some example scenarios of product design changes are listed on the update applications page.

If you’d like DLC staff to review your product family and design changes for testing and documentation impact, please email applications@designlights.org.

ONLY for products that have not changed since their last qualification:

The update pathway described below is intended to minimize the disruption to upgrade products from V5.1 to V6.0.

To update a V5.1 qualified product family to V6.0, reported (nominal) performance is sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the V6.0 technical requirements regarding the following threshold metrics;

• Efficacy

  • In a typical DLC product family, the product(s) with the minimum reported efficacy must be tested and the submitter must provide the accompanying full LM-79/color report in product submissions.

  • During the SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 transition, product families may be updated where some products in the family meet the new efficacy threshold and some products do not.

    • Within update applications, products can demonstrate compliance with the minimum efficacy threshold requirement via reported data only.

      • Starting on November 3rd, 2025, any request to change reported efficacy data that improves the reported efficacy performance of listed products must include both 1) an explanation of what has changed in the product from the time of original listing that results in improved efficacy, and 2) a new LM-79 for the worst-case efficacy model that the manufacturer is seeking to update within a given product family. Existing rules regarding limitations of relatable products within family groups and LM-79 accredited lab testing apply. These applications require a fee consistent with the number of LM-79 test reports per the Independent Test Report (ITRs) provision in the family grouping fee schedule. The DLC reserves the right to require additional information from applicants seeking to update their reported data throughout the transition to the V5.0 Technical Requirements.

  • After V6.0 qualification, these product families will appear on the QPL with the updated V6.0 products as listed, and the non-updated products as V5.1 and listed until the V5.1 delisting date. This may result in listed product families missing a tested product for minimum reported efficacy. The minimum reported efficacy tested product will be visible under that product family as V5.1 and listed until the V5.1 delisting date.

  • Similarly, products previously qualified as V5.1 premium can demonstrate compliance to V6.0 premium efficacy requirement through reported data.

    • V5.1 premium listed products that do not meet the V6.0 premium efficacy threshold requirements can be transitioned to V6.0 standard. Testing is not required if this introduces a new minimum efficacy standard product within the family.

• Chromaticity

  • In a typical DLC product family, the product(s) with the highest reported Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) must be tested and the submitter must provide the accompanying full LM-79/color report in product submissions.

  • During the SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 transition, product families will be updated where some products in the family meet the new maximum CCT threshold and some products do not.

  • For those applications, the product with the highest reported CCT below and closest to the new CCT threshold does not need to be tested.

    • Within update applications, products can demonstrate compliance with the maximum CCT threshold requirement via reported data only.

  • After V6.0 qualification, these product families will appear on the QPL with the updated V6.0 products as listed, and the non-updated products as V5.1 and listed until the V5.1 delisting date. This may result in listed product families missing a tested product for maximum CCT. The maximum CCT tested product will be visible under that product family as V5.1 and listed until the V5.1 delisting date.

• Distribution

  • In a typical DLC product family, for each primary use designation and optical variation a product within the family must be tested and submitter must provide the accompanying full LM-79/distribution in product submissions.

  • During the SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 transition, product families will be updated where some products in the family are updated while others are no longer eligible or are not intended to be updated to V6.0.

  • For applications, qualifying any primary use designations except Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires, a distribution test for each unique optical variation per primary use designation within the V6.0 qualifying family is not needed.

  • After V6.0 qualification, these product families will appear on the QPL with the updated V6.0 products as listed, and the non-updated products as V5.1 and listed until the V5.1 delisting date. This may result in listed product families without tested distribution metrics. The tested distribution metrics will be visible on a product under that product family as V5.1 and listed until the V5.1 delisting date.

• Distribution for Outdoor Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires

  • During the SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 transition, product families will be updated where some products in the family meet the new Outdoor Wall-mounted Area distribution requirements and some products do not.

  • For those applications updating V5.1 products qualified as Outdoor Full-Cutoff Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires products to V6.0, the following will be used to evaluate distribution:

    • Previously submitted distribution data will be used to determine if products meet the new distribution requirements in the Outdoor Zero-Uplight Wall-Mounted Area primary use designation.

      • If products do not meet the new distribution requirements, products can be updated to V6.0 as Outdoor Uplighting Emitting Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires.

  • Outdoor Non-Cutoff and Semi-Cutoff Wall-Mounted Area Luminaires

    • Previously submitted distribution data will be used to determine if products meet the new distribution requirements in the Outdoor Uplight Emitting Wall-Mounted Area primary use designation

      • If products do not meet the new distribution requirements, a product design change may be necessary.

  • After V6.0 qualification, these product families will appear on the QPL with the updated V6.0 products as listed, and the non-updated products as V5.1 and listed until the V5.1 delisting date. This may result in listed product families without tested distribution metrics. The tested distribution metrics will be visible on a product under that product family as V5.1 and listed until the V5.1 delisting date.

• Omnidirectional/Directional Lamps

  • Within the Technical Requirements, Omnidirectional/Directional Mogul Screw-Base (E39/E40) Replacements for HID lamps are now eligible with bare lamp requirements.

  • As desired, manufacturers can transition existing lamps to this new primary use designation along with appropriate bare lamp testing.

    • Manufacturers can elect to list one product under multiple primary use designations, if the products meet all of the technical requirements and are eligible in those primary use designations.
    • For these lamp types, manufactures can list the same model under different primary user designations for the bare lamp primary use designation (# 32) or the existing primary use designations with host housing testing requirements, primary use designations (#26 – #31).

Documentation Requirements for Technical Requirements Transition

The SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 Technical Requirements include requirements to document different types and specific information on product capabilities. Documenting controls capabilities through a controls options table will better support energy efficiency programs and align energy savings claims associated with specific lighting control strategies. Other non-performance information will make it easier to find product listings and match them to information submitted on incentive applications, as well as support demand for sustainable lifecycle practices.

To update a V5.1 qualified product family to V6.0, documentation must be provided to demonstrate compliance with the following topics in the technical requirements;

• Product Images

  • Submitters can either elect to use their own image for each products or select from a limited set of DLC-created representative line art images

  • Submitters must associate each product with a product image to be displayed on the QPL.

  • Images can be uploaded into the portal or available via a public URL for submission

  • Images are associated within the product qualification process and can be associated in the system through;

    • Product by Product

    • One image for the entire family

    • Bulk association process to link many products to a select number of images.

• Product Specification Sheets

  • Submitters must associate each product with a specification sheet or product webpage to be displayed on the QPL.

  • Specification sheets uploaded during the application process can be associated to each product in the portal either though;

    • Product by product

    • One specification sheet for the entire family

    • Bulk association process to link many products to a select number of specification sheets/product webpages.

• Controllability

  • Submitters must provide information on each controls option available in the form of a Controls Options Table as described in Table 11 of the Technical Requirements.

    • Controls Options Tables should be submitted outside of the application process with a single Controls Option Table containing all controls options codes used in model numbers associated with a single Brand. Please email controls@designlights.org for additional details.

    • Controls Options Tables can also be submitted within the typical application process. Additional details  provided in the transition guidance and application submission webinar.

  • Submitters must provide information on each controls option available as described in the table including the metrics described in Table 9 of the V6.0 Technical Requirements

    • Within the application process, submitters will reference all applicable Controls Options Codes that are used with each product submitted. Referenced Controls Options Codes must be represented in the associated Controls Options Table at the time of submission.

      • If applicable, DLC NLC Listed Systems can be associated to SSL V6.0 products. Within the application process, submitters will indicate the available controls options. Representatives from the SSL manufacturer as well as the NLC manufacturer will need to sign a digital agreement acknowledging an ongoing business relationship.

    • Control options performance and capabilities directly lead to a controls category (0-6)

    • Products with only Controls Category 0 are ineligible for premium and may require distinct model numbers for the model with control options sufficient for premium and those control options sufficient for standard.

• Field Adjustable Color Temperature (FACT)

  • Submitters must provide the performance information at various color temperature set points for all FACT products in their application.

    • Within the application process, submitters will need to complete a Field Adjustable Color Temperature table indicate the CCT at each FACT set point

• Field Adjustable Light Distribution (FALD)

  • Submitters must provide the performance information at various distribution set points for all FALD products in their application.

    • Within the application process, submitters will need to complete a Field Adjustable Light Distribution table to indicate the distribution at each FACT set point.

    • Submitters can select distribution metrics for adjustment, i.e. Degree Range, IES Distribution Type, or NEMA Flood Types

• Field Adjustable Light output (FALO)

  • Submitters must provide the performance information at various light output set points for all FALO products in their application.

    • Within the application process, submitters will need to complete a Field Adjustable Light Output table to indicate the distribution at each FALO set point.

• Alternative LEDs and Drivers

  • Manufacturers must attest if utilizing alternate drivers and LEDs

    • Alternate LEDs must demonstrate compliance with the lumen maintenance requirement through ISTMT testing and a TM-21 report for each alternate LED.

    • Alternate Drivers must demonstrate compliance with the driver lifetime requirement through ISTMT testing

• Sustainability

  • Manufacturer may indicate which, if any sustainability options, are available on each product within an application.

  • Specification sheets must include sustainability labels or application must provide appropriate documentation as described in the technical requirements

When will SSL V5.1 and LUNA V1.0 products be delisted?

SSL V5.1 and LUNA V1.0 products that have not been submitted for updating to V6.0 /LUNA V2.0 by November 17th, 2026 will be delisted as of December 15, 2026.

All SSL V5.1 and LUNA V1.0 listed products must take action to update their products to SSL V6.0 and LUNA V2.0 before the application deadline.

For more details about updating products to V6.0, please see the SSL V6.0 & LUNA V2.0 Manufacturer and Industry Guidance. (coming soon!)

The DLC is happy to assist you with the transition to Technical Requirements V5. Please email applications@designlights.org or schedule a meeting with our operations team.