Photometric Testing

Ensuring safety, quality and performance from the simplest light source to high-tech lighting systems

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  • Safe is lighting that smartly interacts with its surroundings

    The future of the industry looks bright. With innovation occurring at the speed of light, lighting is currently seen as a key driver in the advance of the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected homes, buildings and cities. Light fixtures have become able to collect data from the environment and react accordingly, so it is no surprise they are now called ‘smart’. The opportunities seem endless as new applications become possible, shedding light on unexplored niches that are now within reach for manufacturers and retailers. Along with the promise of new functionalities come stricter requirements; accountability for safety and performance is paramount.

  • Why DEKRA?

    Icon innovation

    Full support in innovation

    With our broad portfolio, at DEKRA we can test every aspect of your product from the very beginning, enabling you to bring your innovations to market with confidence.

    Access

    International market access

    Thanks to our large network of DEKRA labs and partners, we can help you obtain the necessary certifications to increase your global footprint.

    Icon time management

    Right first time

    With their thorough understanding of lighting industry requirements, our experts will help you to save valuable time by avoiding costly, cumbersome rework.

  • Manufacturers are under increasing pressure. On top of ensuring safety, they are now accountable for delivering products and components with the right photometric properties. At DEKRA, we offer independent services to characterize spectral distribution, lamp efficacy, luminous flux, UV contents, and reflection and transmission. You can also count on us to perform photobiological safety testing of lamps and lamp systems, ensuring that the light emitted by artificial light sources does not harm users.

    • We test amongst others:

      • Consumer products
      • Public lighting
      • Office lighting
      • Utility lighting products
      • Architectural lighting
      • Automotive lighting
      • Healthcare

    • Selected recognitions

      • EU ErP directive
      • Labeling directive
      • 1194/2012
      • 244/2009
      • 245/2009
      • 874/2012
      • EN 13201-4
      • LM-79
      • TM 21,LM-80
      • LM 82
      • LM 84
      • Energy Star
      • DLC

  • Sectors we serve:

    Automotive

    Over the last few years, innovations in headlamps, signaling and light sources in combination with advanced styling and complexity have added tremendous value to automotive lighting. Ensuring quality, performance and safety while obtaining access to global markets is no easy task. Depending on the market, distinct requirements are applicable:

    • Countries of the European Union, Russia and Japan require certification according to the UN ECE Regulations, for which DEKRA cooperates with several authorities.

    • North America requires compliance with FMVSS108 (USA), CMVSS108 (Canada) and SAE standards for certain states, depending on the function. This can be demonstrated with reports issued by our partner Calcoast-ITL.

    • India requires certification according to the AIS Standards based on witness testing by ARAI (or ICAT), which can be done directly in our laboratories.

    • Taiwan requires certification by the local authorities, VSCC. The reports issued by DEKRA are automatically recognized, saving you time in obtaining VSCC approval.

    • Brazil requires compliance with the portarias issued by INMETRO, for which DEKRA is accredited for testing, auditing and certification.

    • China requires certification according to the GB Standards. While testing must take place in Chinese institutes, DEKRA can offer you guidance to ensure a smooth process.

    With the support of an international branch network, our photometric laboratories undertake full testing programs in the space of just a few weeks. We take care of the entire process for you, saving you the hassle of submitting test samples to different laboratories.

    Lighting

    Light-emitting products are everywhere: from low-energy lamps to street lights, from emergency lighting to Christmas tree lights, and from smart dimmers to the realm of healthcare. As technologies become more sophisticated, safety requirements become more stringent. At DEKRA, we ensure we stay ahead of the curve and our specialists keep on top of the latest developments in the lighting industry at all times. Our testing activities cover components, subassemblies, LED modules and complete lighting systems and may lead to certification marks such as ENEC, ENEC+, DEKRA LED Performance, DLC, Lighting Facts and Energy Star.
    The following tests can be carried out:

    • Luminous flux
    • Lamp efficacy
    • Color rendering index (CRI)
    • Correlated color temperature (CCT)
    • Spectral distribution measurements
    • Chromaticity coordinates
    • Luminance measurements
    • Luminous intensity distributions
    • Lamp Lumen Maintenance Factor (LLMF)
    • Ray tracing
    • Color intensity distribution
    • Electrical safety

    Camera Monitor Systems

    Once a future innovation, more and more often rear view and camera monitor systems are being implemented in new vehicle models by car manufacturers across the globe. The first vehicles fitted with cameras instead of mirrors are already on the road and more will follow. These types of systems replace entire side and rearview mirrors and equip vehicles with cameras, displays, electronics and software. It goes without saying that rear view and camera monitor systems need to be tested to ensure that they function consistently, perform well and keep everyone using the vehicle and the road safe.

    UNECE Regulation No. 46 was specifically developed for the purpose of approving devices used for indirect vision in motor vehicles. Camera monitor systems can be approved as part of the homologation of vehicles or separately as a supplier product. DEKRA tests the cameras, displays and the system as a whole including electronics according to the current UNECE Regulation No. 46 in DEKRA’s only photometry test lab. Among the aspects tested are lateral uniformity, luminance and contrast rendering, system latency, resolution, magnification factor, sharpness, depth of field, color rendering and more.

    Sectors we serve:

    Automotive

    Over the last few years, innovations in headlamps, signaling and light sources in combination with advanced styling and complexity have added tremendous value to automotive lighting. Ensuring quality, performance and safety while obtaining access to global markets is no easy task. Depending on the market, distinct requirements are applicable:

    • Countries of the European Union, Russia and Japan require certification according to the UN ECE Regulations, for which DEKRA cooperates with several authorities.

    • North America requires compliance with FMVSS108 (USA), CMVSS108 (Canada) and SAE standards for certain states, depending on the function. This can be demonstrated with reports issued by our partner Calcoast-ITL.

    • India requires certification according to the AIS Standards based on witness testing by ARAI (or ICAT), which can be done directly in our laboratories.

    • Taiwan requires certification by the local authorities, VSCC. The reports issued by DEKRA are automatically recognized, saving you time in obtaining VSCC approval.

    • Brazil requires compliance with the portarias issued by INMETRO, for which DEKRA is accredited for testing, auditing and certification.

    • China requires certification according to the GB Standards. While testing must take place in Chinese institutes, DEKRA can offer you guidance to ensure a smooth process.

    With the support of an international branch network, our photometric laboratories undertake full testing programs in the space of just a few weeks. We take care of the entire process for you, saving you the hassle of submitting test samples to different laboratories.

    Lighting

    Light-emitting products are everywhere: from low-energy lamps to street lights, from emergency lighting to Christmas tree lights, and from smart dimmers to the realm of healthcare. As technologies become more sophisticated, safety requirements become more stringent. At DEKRA, we ensure we stay ahead of the curve and our specialists keep on top of the latest developments in the lighting industry at all times. Our testing activities cover components, subassemblies, LED modules and complete lighting systems and may lead to certification marks such as ENEC, ENEC+, DEKRA LED Performance, DLC, Lighting Facts and Energy Star.
    The following tests can be carried out:

    • Luminous flux
    • Lamp efficacy
    • Color rendering index (CRI)
    • Correlated color temperature (CCT)
    • Spectral distribution measurements
    • Chromaticity coordinates
    • Luminance measurements
    • Luminous intensity distributions
    • Lamp Lumen Maintenance Factor (LLMF)
    • Ray tracing
    • Color intensity distribution
    • Electrical safety

    Camera Monitor Systems

    Once a future innovation, more and more often rear view and camera monitor systems are being implemented in new vehicle models by car manufacturers across the globe. The first vehicles fitted with cameras instead of mirrors are already on the road and more will follow. These types of systems replace entire side and rearview mirrors and equip vehicles with cameras, displays, electronics and software. It goes without saying that rear view and camera monitor systems need to be tested to ensure that they function consistently, perform well and keep everyone using the vehicle and the road safe.

    UNECE Regulation No. 46 was specifically developed for the purpose of approving devices used for indirect vision in motor vehicles. Camera monitor systems can be approved as part of the homologation of vehicles or separately as a supplier product. DEKRA tests the cameras, displays and the system as a whole including electronics according to the current UNECE Regulation No. 46 in DEKRA’s only photometry test lab. Among the aspects tested are lateral uniformity, luminance and contrast rendering, system latency, resolution, magnification factor, sharpness, depth of field, color rendering and more.

  • Today, all general lighting products must meet a variety of photometric requirements to ensure quality of light and compliance with regulations relating to aspects such as energy efficiency. We offer a wide range of photometric tests in our state-of-the-art labs located in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong (China), Dresden (Germany), Osnago (Italy) and Arnhem (The Netherlands).

    – Wilfried van Laarhoven

  • Meet our experts

  • Wilfried van Laarhoven
    Contact person

    Wilfried van Laarhoven

    Automotive Lighting, Europe
  • Jaap Nuesink
    Contact person

    Jacob Nuesink

    Lighting market segment, Europe

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