LM-79 Testing in Dubai: Key Requirements for Lighting Manufacturers and Suppliers | +971 554747210
Dubai's lighting industry is expanding at a remarkable pace, driven by massive infrastructure projects, smart city initiatives, and stringent sustainability regulations. As LED lighting becomes the preferred choice for residential, commercial, and industrial applications, ensuring that lighting products meet high-quality and performance standards is more important than ever. One of the most critical compliance requirements for LED lighting in Dubai is LM-79 Testing.
LM-79 Testing is a globally recognized evaluation method that assesses the photometric and electrical performance of LED lighting products. For lighting manufacturers and suppliers operating in Dubai or exporting to the UAE market, LM-79 testing is essential for regulatory approval, market acceptance, and long-term brand credibility.
In this blog, we break down the key LM-79 testing requirements in Dubai, explain the importance of compliance, and highlight how manufacturers and suppliers can ensure their products meet UAE standards.
Understanding LM-79 Testing
LM-79 is a standardized testing procedure developed by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). It focuses on evaluating the absolute performance of LED products, ensuring accurate and repeatable results.
LM-79 testing covers:
Luminous flux (lumens)
Luminous efficacy (lm/W)
Color rendering index (CRI)
Correlated color temperature (CCT)
Chromaticity coordinates
Electrical characteristics
Light distribution patterns
These parameters help determine whether an LED product meets the performance claims stated by manufacturers and whether it complies with Dubai’s efficiency and safety regulations.
Why LM-79 Testing Is Important in Dubai
Dubai is known for its strict compliance standards in lighting, particularly because the emirate prioritizes:
Energy efficiency
Environmental sustainability
Safety
High-performance infrastructure
LM-79 tests help ensure lighting products meet these requirements and support Dubai’s long-term goals for sustainable urban development.
Key reasons LM-79 testing is essential:
Mandatory for product approvals and certifications
Required for major construction and smart city lighting projects
Ensures accurate performance evaluation in Dubai’s harsh climate
Builds trust with project consultants, contractors, and developers
For manufacturers and suppliers, LM-79 compliance is not optional—it is a critical benchmark for market entry.
Key LM-79 Testing Requirements for Lighting Manufacturers and Suppliers in Dubai
To successfully introduce LED lighting products into the Dubai market, manufacturers and suppliers must meet specific LM-79 testing requirements. These cover documentation, testing procedures, quality standards, and regulatory guidelines.
Below are the most important requirements to understand.
1. Testing Must Be Performed by an ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Laboratory
Dubai authorities, consultants, and major project developers require LM-79 results from accredited laboratories only. An ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation ensures the lab follows internationally recognized testing and calibration standards.
Accredited labs provide:
Accurate measurement conditions
Calibrated testing equipment
Reliable and accepted test reports
Using non-accredited lab reports can lead to rejection during product approval or vendor qualification processes.
2. Complete Photometric and Electrical Evaluation Is Mandatory
Dubai clients expect comprehensive LM-79 testing that includes all major parameters. Manufacturers must ensure their products are tested for:
Total luminous flux
Luminous efficacy
CRI and CCT
Chromaticity stability
Beam angle and distribution curves
Power consumption and power factor
These results are essential for lighting design calculations and energy modelling.
3. Test Reports Must Include Detailed Test Conditions
Dubai’s regulatory bodies and construction consultants require full transparency in test reporting.
A standard LM-79 report must include:
Model and product specifications
Ambient temperature
Test equipment details
Measurement instruments
Distance and setup used
Current and voltage readings
This ensures test results can be validated and replicated when needed.
4. LED Drivers Must Also Meet Performance Standards
Dubai requires not only the LED fixtures but also the LED drivers to meet specific performance metrics. LM-79 testing should include:
Driver efficiency
Flicker performance
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)
Stability under voltage fluctuations
Poor-quality drivers can lead to flickering, failures, or safety hazards, making driver performance testing essential.
5. Temperature and Thermal Behavior Should Be Reported
High ambient temperatures in Dubai make thermal performance a critical factor. LM-79 testing must document:
Operating temperature
Thermal stability
Impact on luminous output
Stability of color performance over time
Products that perform well in cooler climates may fail in Dubai if not properly engineered.
6. Light Distribution Data Must Be Provided for Project Approvals
Consultants and engineers often request goniophotometer data to verify:
Beam angle
Light spread
Distribution uniformity
This data is crucial for lighting simulations, roadway lighting, and architectural designs.
7. Compliance With UAE.S and Dubai Municipality Requirements
Many lighting products must also meet local standards such as:
UAE.S 5010-1 (energy efficiency for lighting products)
Dubai Green Building Regulations
DEWA efficiency guidelines
LM-79 testing helps demonstrate compliance with these regional regulations.
8. Products Must Pass LM-79 Testing Before Large Project Tenders
Developers and contractors typically require LM-79 test reports before:
Vendor registration
Material submittal approvals
Technical evaluations
Final project acceptance
Without valid LM-79 test reports, suppliers may lose opportunities in major projects.
9. Test Reports Must Be Recent
Dubai’s consultants often require LM-79 reports that are not older than 2 years. This ensures:
Current manufacturing batches match tested samples
No changes occurred in LED sources or drivers
Product performance remains consistent
Outdated reports are often rejected.
10. Products Must Match the Exact Model Tested
The product supplied for a project must match the one tested in the LM-79 report. Manufacturers must ensure:
Same LED chips
Same driver model
Same housing and optical components
Any changes may result in re-testing.
Benefits of LM-79 Testing for Manufacturers and Suppliers
LM-79 testing is not just a compliance requirement—it offers significant business advantages:
✔ Increases acceptance rate in large Dubai projects
✔ Demonstrates product reliability and quality
✔ Enhances brand credibility in the UAE lighting market
✔ Supports sustainability and energy-efficiency goals
✔ Helps align with green building certification requirements
Investing in LM-79 testing improves long-term competitiveness and opens doors to major tenders.
Conclusion
LM-79 Testing is a crucial requirement for lighting manufacturers and suppliers looking to enter or expand within the Dubai market. With strict local regulations, high demand for sustainable lighting, and fast-paced infrastructure development, LM-79 compliance has become a core part of product certification and approval.
By ensuring products are tested in accredited laboratories, providing complete photometric and electrical data, and meeting UAE-specific requirements, lighting companies can position themselves as trusted partners in Dubai’s growing lighting industry.
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