5 Things to Know:  May 3

In the latest episode of the Get a Grip on Lighting podcast, hosts Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich sit down with returning guest Devin Wall of Louvers International. The discussion centers on wide-ranging criticisms of the DesignLights Consortium (DLC), including outsized market control, unclear finances, high costs to manufacturers, questionable business models and suspected preferential relationships, with the hosts inviting DLC and D+R International to respond in a future episode.

• Market Domination Without Competition:
  DLC is accused of strongly leveraging its dominance, especially since 75% of North America's energy efficiency programs reportedly require DLC-listed products. This is described as a "takeover" and a "heist."
• Fear of Backlash:
  Several lighting professionals employed by manufacturers have reportedly expressed concern about publicly supporting a NAILD-backed report on accreditation agencies due to fears of potential retaliation by DLC.
• Changing Standards as a Revenue Driver:
  It is suggested that DLC continuously updates standards (e.g., from 5.0 to 6.0) not for safety or innovation, but to generate new revenue by forcing repeated re-submissions.
• Excessive Cost to Manufacturers:
  Manufacturers like Devin Wall of Louvers International claim they spend $30,000+ to get one fixture line listed due to DLC’s evolving standards, despite already conducting thorough safety testing through other accredited bodies.
• Lack of Financial Transparency:
  The hosts question how DLC (a non profit organization) spends its money, highlighting that over 50% of its annual budget (millions of dollars) goes toward vaguely defined activities like “application review and QPL” without clear breakdowns.
• Suspected Preferential Vendor Relationship:
  DLC is suspected of having an ongoing and potentially lucrative relationship with D+R International, which, they say, is not transparently disclosed.
• Poor Customer Support:
  DLC is criticized for poor communication — they don’t answer phones, rely on outdated online portals, and are described as slow and unresponsive.
• Limited Value Added:
  Colligan suggests that DLC does little of the actual technical work, relying on external accredited labs to conduct tests, yet collects significant fees.

The hosts extended an invitation to representatives from DLC and D+R International to join a future episode for a discussion addressing the concerns raised.

Inside Lighting sought comment from DLC but did not receive a response before press time. We remain open to publishing additional context from DLC or related parties.

Signify will deepen its investment and innovation efforts in China, highlighting the country's strategic importance in both market potential and talent development, according to China Daily. At the 2025 Signify Consumer Day event held on April 22, Chief Innovation Officer Olivia Qiu emphasized the role of local expertise and partnerships in meeting the needs of aging Chinese consumers and advancing global product innovation.

China Daily reported the company's historical presence in China, which dates back to the 1920s, and its continued investment in research and development through its Shanghai-based Asia-Pacific headquarters. Highlighting collaboration with major Chinese Internet of Things firms such as Xiaomi, Alibaba, and Huawei, she pointed to China’s robust IoT ecosystem as a vital resource for product innovation. As consumer expectations rise in tandem with economic growth, Qiu noted that technologies proven successful in China often gain competitive advantages globally.

In 2024, China accounted for €381 million in sales, representing 6.2% of Signify’s global revenue.

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Lighting may not always make headlines, but this week, lighting was behind them.

At the Atlanta Press Club’s annual Awards of Excellence, which honors top journalism across print, broadcast, and digital categories, a familiar name to the lighting industry appeared not just in the room—but on the marquee. Acuity Inc., co-headline sponsor of the event, used the occasion to affirm its long-standing commitment to community, talent development and local press.

Above: Ashley Henderson, Acuity Inc. Photo courtesy of Acuity. Photo credit: Krys Alex Photography

Ashley Henderson, Director of Channel Marketing at Acuity, provided opening remarks that echoed the company’s commitment to community and workforce development. Her comments reflected Acuity’s broader values and corporate initiatives — specifically the EarthLIGHT platform — which includes a four-year sponsorship of the Atlanta Press Club intern program as part of its investment in Atlanta and the next generation of local journalism talent.

Inside Lighting’s Al Uszynski, an Atlanta Press Club member, was in attendance — partly for the celebration of journalism, partly for the $15 ticket that included adult beverages, lamb sticks and a very respectable charcuterie spread.

While the Atlanta Journal-Constitution dominated the event, earning numerous awards, Acuity’s presence highlighted a quieter truth: in an era of shrinking newsrooms and vanishing beat reporters, local press still needs champions.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has launched the Make It American™ Program and Resource Center to support compliance with the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act, a key provision of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The initiative addresses the Act’s domestic content requirements by providing member companies with resources to navigate BABA’s complex provisions. These include an On-Demand Legal Resource Center offering direct access to legal consultations, implementation roadmaps, and advocacy tools.

The goal is to help manufacturers bring BABA-compliant products to market while supporting U.S. jobs and industrial growth.

Companies seeking third-party certification undergo expert-led audits to validate adherence to both process and product standards. Certified entities are listed in the NEMA Make It American™ BABA Registry, a live directory highlighting verified domestic manufacturing capabilities.

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