The quality of LED lights released in the market has always been a weary issue with regulatory bodies. The unruly import of cheap, low-quality LED products in countries such as India has made it difficult to control the local market for high-quality goods. According to Harsh Chitale, CEO, Philips Lighting Solutions South Asia, the Indian lighting market is only served by a handful of major players while a majority are made up of traders who either outsource or import LED bulbs into the country. However, proactive efforts by the Indian government have kicked into effect strict regulations that demand compulsory adherence to quality checks and certifications before an LED product is fit to be sold. The implementation of BIS is one of the ways to curb the influx of sub-standard and non-certified LED bulbs for the ones designed and produced in India.
Why quality is important
Low-quality LED bulbs fail in more ways than one from the usual claims of LED lighting that promise better & safer light and longevity. From cheap capacitors not rated for the temperature, small heat sinks that make the bulb run much hotter, same optics for multiple requirements, poor CRI due to the use of low quality phosphor to bring down costs, small LED chips which provide less light & stability, to the final construction, LED bulbs eventually fail miserably before delivering any of the promises of a good LED product.
According to Himanshu Dalvi, CEO, VOS Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd., “Bad quality LED products especially those which are not EMC compliant are injurious to human health, safety and the environment. A good quality LED doesn’t have UV or IR but spurious material which is not LM 80 compliant can cause havoc. Take for e.g. an ICU where LEDs are used and the lighting electronic is not EMC compliant; this will cause an interference with the CRT/heartbeat monitors and cause serious problems for the patient.”
UV radiation and lighting
In high doses, UV causes sunburns, cataracts, and skin cancer on humans. In commercial and residential applications UV radiation damages artwork and fabrics over time. UV light even attracts bugs making it unsuitable for commercial food-service applications and residential kitchens.
The levels of UV radiation emitted by incandescent bulbs and CFLs are now raising some concerns over long term health effects and although LED light is a better alternative it would be wrong to say that LEDs produce no UV radiation at all as claimed by some industry sources. LEDs do produce a small amount of UV but they emit even less as it is converted to white light by the phosphors inside the lamp. High quality LEDs with their low UV emissions are proving to be the ideal choice for homes, offices and even museums which strive to protect treasured artifacts and maintain their original colors and patina.
Dilemma around Chinese-made LED bulbs
With so many LED light manufacturers in China (more than 3,000 in Shenzhen alone), the challenge faced by private label companies of ensuring that the contract manufacturers they source their goods from are not only the best but continue to be so is almost impossible. Also it’s not uncommon practice to substitute lower-quality components after an inspection or even sub-contract work to inferior factories. For a price-sensitive market like India, consumers are easily swayed by low prices without paying any heed to quality, thereby, ending up with sub-standard LED lamps that prove to be a health and safety hazard.
Conclusion
The Indian government has tightened the noose on the quality of LED bulbs available in the Indian market. With stringent measures kicked into place, LED bulbs are now carrying a star rating under the BEE labeling scheme which guarantees that a consumer is buying a quality product. As per BEE standards, LED lights having 79-90 lumen per watt fall in the two star rating while those having 90-105 lumen per watt are rated three stars.
