For lighting manufacturers, importers, distributors, contractors, and project buyers, 2026 brings new compliance requirements to the EU lighting market.
Energy efficiency is still a key requirement, but it is only part of the picture. Lighting products also need to meet rules covering product safety, materials, technical documentation, product data, and lighting controls.
Two regulations are particularly relevant: the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The revised EPBD applies from 30 May 2026, while ESPR introduces new requirements for sustainable product design and product information.
For lighting suppliers, good efficacy and basic certifications are no longer enough to stand out in the EU market. Buyers are looking more closely at compliance documents, control options, product performance, and how a product fits the requirements of a project.
Why 2026 Is a Turning Point for EU Lighting Regulations
EU lighting rules are no longer focused only on energy efficiency. Product safety, materials, technical documents, lighting controls, and product performance also matter when a lighting product is placed on the EU market.
For buyers, the checklist is getting longer. Wattage and lumen output still matter, but so do glare, flicker, control systems, energy monitoring, repair options, and product documentation.
CE marking remains a key requirement for many electrical and electronic products sold in the EU. It is not an EU approval or a certificate issued by a central EU authority. Manufacturers are responsible for identifying the rules that apply to their products, completing the required conformity assessment, preparing technical documents, issuing the EU Declaration of Conformity, and applying the CE mark where required.
For companies searching for eu ce marking news, ce testing, or ce approval, the message is simple: having a CE mark is only one part of preparing a lighting product for the EU market. The supporting tests and technical documents also need to be in place.
EPBD: The Growing Role of Smart Lighting
The revised EPBD puts more attention on building automation, energy management, and lighting controls.
For certain non-residential buildings, EU countries must introduce requirements for automatic lighting controls. The directive sets deadlines of 31 December 2027 for buildings above certain system capacity thresholds and 31 December 2029 for lower thresholds. The controls must be suitably zoned and able to respond to occupancy.
For lighting suppliers, this is changing what buyers look for in commercial projects.
A basic on/off lighting system may not meet the control requirements of every new project. Buyers and contractors are increasingly looking for lighting that can work with:
- Occupancy sensors
- Daylight-responsive controls
- Dimming systems
- Building management systems
- Energy monitoring
- Digital lighting control systems
DALI-2 and D4i can support these types of applications. However, D4i should not be described as a universal requirement under the EPBD. The actual requirements depend on the building, local implementation of the directive, project specifications, and the standards that apply to the installation.
For lighting suppliers, the question is no longer only:
“Does this light meet the required energy performance?”
It is also:
“Can this lighting system work with the control system specified for the project?”
This is particularly relevant for office and commercial lighting. For example, OLAMLED offers commercial lighting with 1-10V and DALI-2 control options, as well as sensor and emergency lighting configurations. Its commercial office lighting solutions can be configured for different project requirements.
ESPR: From Energy Efficiency to Product Life Cycle
ESPR: A Broader Approach to Sustainable Products
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) expands the EU’s ecodesign framework beyond energy efficiency. It addresses a wider range of product characteristics, including durability, repairability, recycled content, resource efficiency, and product information.
The requirements will not apply to every product at the same time. Instead, the European Commission will introduce product-specific rules through delegated acts, with requirements and compliance dates defined for each product group.
Digital Product Passports
A key part of the ESPR framework is the Digital Product Passport (DPP).
The European Commission launched the DPP Registry on 20 July 2026. DPP requirements will be introduced in stages, based on specific product groups and their related delegated acts. The Commission’s current working plan includes energy-related products in the 2026–2029 period, but being listed in the working plan does not mean that a product already has a DPP obligation.
For lighting manufacturers, the practical impact is clear: product information needs to be accurate, structured, and ready to support future regulatory requirements.
Depending on the product and the final rules, manufacturers may need to manage data such as:
- Product specifications
- Materials and components
- Energy performance
- Product identification
- Repair and maintenance information
- Sustainability-related data
- Compliance documentation
This makes product data management part of the manufacturing process rather than something handled only at the documentation stage.
Repairability and Lighting Product Design
ESPR also places attention on how products can be maintained, repaired, and handled at the end of their service life.
For commercial lighting, product architecture can play a direct role. A luminaire with accessible components and replaceable drivers or LED modules can be easier to service than a fully sealed, non-serviceable design. This can reduce unnecessary fixture replacement and extend the usable life of the product.
Modular construction can also give lighting manufacturers more flexibility during product development. Different drivers, control systems, dimensions, and installation methods can be configured for different project requirements without changing the entire product platform.
For manufacturers serving European commercial lighting projects, this approach can support both product customization and longer-term serviceability.
Key EU Lighting Compliance Requirements in 2026
For lighting exporters, ensuring compliance with the European Union’s latest technical directives is critical. The key performance and safety requirements to verify before shipping include:
| Requirement | Key point to check | Main EU framework |
|---|---|---|
| Energy efficiency | Product-specific minimum requirements apply | Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 |
| Standby power | Psb and networked standby limits apply where relevant | Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 |
| Flicker | PstLM ≤ 1.0 for applicable light sources | Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 |
| Stroboscopic effect | SVM ≤ 0.4 from September 2024 for applicable products | Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 |
| Energy label | A to G scale for covered light sources | Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 |
| EPREL | Covered energy-labelled models must be registered | Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 |
| RoHS | Restricted substances must meet applicable limits | Directive 2011/65/EU |
| CE marking | Conformity assessment and EU Declaration of Conformity | Applicable CE legislation |
The exact requirements depend on whether the product is a light source, a control gear, or a complete luminaire, as well as on how the product is placed on the market.
For example, Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 sets requirements for light sources, including standby and networked standby power of no more than 0.5 W where applicable. It also sets PstLM and SVM requirements, with SVM reduced to 0.4 from September 2024 for the relevant products.
This is why exporters should avoid using a single “EU LED standard” for every product. The correct compliance route depends on the actual product configuration.
Energy Labeling and EPREL Registration
For light sources covered by EU energy labeling rules, the energy label uses the A to G scale to show the product’s energy efficiency.
EPREL, the European Product Registry for Energy Labeling, is the EU database for products subject to energy labeling requirements. Suppliers are responsible for registering applicable models and submitting the required product data. The European Commission also provides guidance on supplier verification and model registration in EPREL.
For lighting exporters, CE marking and EPREL registration serve different purposes.
CE marking relates to compliance with the EU legislation that applies to the product. It indicates that the manufacturer has assessed the product against the relevant requirements and can place the CE marking where the applicable legislation requires it.
EPREL, on the other hand, applies to products covered by EU energy labeling rules. Registration involves submitting specific product information to the European Commission’s database.
A lighting product may therefore need to meet CE-related conformity requirements and, where applicable, be registered in EPREL. Before placing a product on the EU market, suppliers should check the legislation that applies to the specific product, its energy labeling status, and the related registration requirements.
For European distributors, importers, contractors, and project buyers, compliance is becoming part of supplier selection.
Before placing an order, buyers may need to ask suppliers for:
- CE Declaration of Conformity
- EMC and electrical safety test reports
- RoHS documentation
- Photobiological safety documentation
- Energy performance information
- EPREL registration where applicable
- Driver and control system information
- Technical construction files
- Product specifications and installation documents
This is where good ce testing and technical documentation can make a real difference.
A manufacturer that can provide clear and complete compliance documents can reduce the workload for distributors and project contractors.
How OLAMLED Supports EU Lighting Projects
For commercial lighting projects in the EU, product performance is only one part of the purchasing decision. Control compatibility, product configuration, technical documentation, and installation requirements can all affect whether a lighting solution fits a project.
OLAMLED supplies commercial LED lighting for offices, retail spaces, and other commercial environments. Its range includes LED panel lights, LED linear lights, track lighting, grille lights, tubular lights, and other commercial fixtures.
1. DALI-2 and D4i Options
Selected OLAMLED lighting products can be configured with control systems such as DALI-2 and D4i, depending on the product and project requirements.
These options can be used for projects that require addressable lighting control, dimming, monitoring, or integration with a wider building control system. The available functions depend on the selected driver, control system, and luminaire configuration.
2. Flexible LED Linear Lighting
OLAMLED’s LED linear lighting can be configured for different project layouts, with options for customized lengths, recessed installation, suspended installation, and surface mounting.
Different connection configurations and dimming options are available for selected models. For architectural lighting projects, the PD Series can be configured with DALI-2 control and project-specific dimensions or installation requirements.
This type of product configuration can be useful for projects where standard fixture sizes do not fit the planned ceiling layout.
3. CE and RoHS Documentation
For EU projects, certification claims should be supported by product-specific documentation.
OLAMLED provides certification and compliance information for selected commercial lighting models, including CE and RoHS-related documentation.
For buyers, a supplier’s ability to provide supporting documents is more useful than a general statement such as “CE approved.” Depending on the product and applicable legislation, buyers may request documents such as test reports, EU Declaration of Conformity, technical documentation, and product-specific certification evidence.
The exact documentation required can vary according to the product, applicable EU legislation, and the market where the product will be placed.
4. Custom and Modular Product Design
Commercial lighting projects often involve requirements that differ from standard catalog specifications. OLAMLED supports customization of selected product features, including dimensions, drivers, color temperature, beam angle, housing, controls, and installation methods.
For distributors, lighting contractors, and project suppliers, this allows the product configuration to be matched more closely to the technical specification instead of relying solely on fixed catalog models.
For EU projects, customized configurations can also be reviewed together with the relevant technical and compliance documentation before production.
FAQ
Do all LED lights need EPREL registration?
Not necessarily every lighting product. EPREL registration applies to products covered by the EU energy labeling rules. Suppliers should check the product category and applicable legislation before registration.
What is the minimum luminous efficacy for LED lights in the EU in 2026?
There is no single universal “120 lm/W” rule for every LED lighting product. Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 uses a calculation method based on the light source type, useful luminous flux, power, and correction factors.
Can I still export non-DALI LED lights to the EU?
DALI is not a universal requirement for every LED product sold in the EU. However, DALI-2, D4i, sensors, and other control options can be important for commercial projects where advanced lighting control is specified.
What is D4i and why does it matter?
D4i is a DALI-based certification framework that supports smart lighting functions and data exchange. It can be useful for projects that require lighting control, monitoring, diagnostics, or energy data.
Can I use CE self certification for LED lighting?
In some cases, manufacturers can complete the conformity assessment themselves. In other cases, EU legislation requires the involvement of a notified body. There is no general EU “CE certificate” issued by a central authority. The manufacturer is responsible for identifying the applicable legislation, completing the correct conformity assessment, preparing technical documentation, and signing the EU Declaration of Conformity.
This is why the term ce self certification should be used carefully. Self-assessment does not mean skipping testing or documentation. It means the manufacturer follows the legally permitted conformity assessment route and takes responsibility for compliance.
