December 30, 2023
5 Things to Know: Week Ending December 30
Mainstream media explores LED light flicker. Plus, a new report highlights unregulated e-commerce lighting products.
Here's a roundup of some of the week's happenings curated to help lighting people stay informed.
1. Flicker Fixer: Naomi Miller Shares Insights on NPR
Lighting scientist Naomi Miller was recently featured on National Public Radio (NPR), citing the importance of good lighting. Known also for her distinctive fashion sense, particularly her fashionable hats, Miller is often seen at lighting trade shows, using simple tools to detect flickering in lighting exhibits and offering helpful advice to exhibitors.
Miller's appearance on NPR focused on holiday lights, particularly why many of them flicker, and extended the conversation to general lighting principles. This feature serves to educate the public about the significance of investing in high-quality lighting for healthier living spaces.
As part of her work with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL), Miller, also nicknamed “The Flicker Queen”, has been instrumental in publishing research on various technical aspects of lighting flicker. This research underscores the importance of public awareness in lighting quality, a topic Miller passionately advocates for. The NPR feature on Miller highlights the need for better public understanding of professional lighting practices and their impact on daily life.
Aaron Scott/NPR
SPOLIER ALERT: The string of lights above that doesn't flicker is incandescent.
2 . All Bark and No Bite: Unregulated e-commerce products
In a revealing report titled “All Bark and No Bite” by Luger Research in Austria, it's highlighted that despite stringent European Union (EU) regulations, the prevalence of non-compliant products, particularly in the electrical and electronic sector, is on the rise. This discrepancy undermines EU's global credibility, endangers consumers, and skews the competitive market.
The report emphasizes the failure in enforcing regulations like the WEEE directive, aimed at minimizing waste from electrical equipment through recovery and recycling. A staggering 10% of online-sold electrical equipment fails to meet these directives.
A specific example cites that 10 out of 12 lighting products purchased online did not adhere to electrical safety standards. Moreover, a significant majority of these products flout EU laws on information requirements. This rampant non-compliance not only raises safety concerns but also unfairly disadvantages law-abiding companies within the EU.
3. Trendforce: Top 10 Global Lighting Players See 5% Revenue Dip
Taiwan-based TrendForce, a provider of market intelligence, forecasts a year-over-year dip of approximately 5% in the revenues of the world's top ten lighting manufacturers for 2023.
Several companies mentioned in the report are privately held or represent minor segments of larger businesses, with undisclosed lighting revenue figures. Despite Current's recent report of a dip in annual revenues to $922 million, TrendForce indicates that the last two quarters totaled $564 million.
Image source: TrendForce
Individuals who dip into their pocket for $6,500, can obtain TrendForce's report, titled "2023 Light LED and LED Lighting Market Outlook."
4. IES Publishes New Recommended Practice
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) has introduced a new standard, RP-47-23, focusing on Landscape Lighting, a niche within exterior lighting.
This standard aims to enhance outdoor aesthetics while ensuring safe navigation during nighttime. It emphasizes the balance among energy efficiency, adherence to dark-sky policies and aesthetic charm. RP-47-23 outlines the necessary equipment and techniques to achieve these objectives.
The RP-47-23 is among the IES's extensive library of over 100 standards. The RP-47-23 Recommended Practice: Landscape Lighting is available for purchase via the IES Webstore.
5. DarkSky Summarizes Most Impactful 2023 Achievements
In 2023, DarkSky International made significant progress in combating light pollution, a global issue growing nearly 10% annually. The organization successfully certified 17 new Dark Sky Places, bringing the total to 210 worldwide. These locations not only showcase brilliant night skies but also protect vital nocturnal habitats.
A major milestone was achieved with the establishment of the first DarkSky Chapter in Africa by advocates in Kenya, marking the organization's presence on all inhabited continents.
DarkSky's outreach expanded further through three major global events, including International Dark Sky Week, which reached an estimated 1 billion people. Their Capture the Dark photo contest and the Under One Sky Conference also saw record participation.
The year also witnessed a rebranding of the organization, which changed its name from the International Dark-Sky Association to DarkSky and introduced a new logo.
