To enter the US market, LED components need to pass LM-79 LED luminaire testing, which can take up to nine months, according to UL Taiwan. LED lighting firms have been facing difficulties to enter different markets due to such entry barriers. Some firms have been waiting to get products tested for six months, which means the entire process will take about one and a half year.
According to UL Taiwan, currently global LED lighting standards are divided into two categories – North America and non-North America (IEC for Europe). To enter different markets, firms need to face variations in safety standards and power voltages while trying to obtain local certification for the products. Otherwise, it would be difficult to bid for projects.
Due to the long processing time, only 5-6 Taiwan-based firms have products that have passed the LM-80 tests.
Japan, another major LED lighting market, began setting PSE conformity assessment certification standards in July 2012. In the future, all LED light bulbs and lights sold in Japan will be required to have a PSE sticker.
Despite the fact that LED lighting firms have been facing difficulties in expanding distribution channels, Robert Yeh, chairman of Everlight believes the LED market output value will increase to US$15 billion in 2013 with penetration rate increasing 25%. In addition, Asia will become the largest LED lighting market in 2013 with market share of around 39%.
