Codes + Standards

Universal automation in building automation systems (BAS) refers to a new standardized approach that brings software-defined, vendor-agnostic control to building management and automation. Universal automation can also be applied to industrial automation systems, but this article will only address universal automation use in BAS. Here are key aspects of universal automation in the context of [...]

The Design Lights Consortium (DLC) has announced changes are coming to the technical requirements for two of its programs. DLC technical requirements are mandated by up to 80% of prescriptive commercial lighting rebate programs, making them critical for manufacturer products to qualify for most rebates. SSL V5.2 & V6.0 The DLC has announced two phases [...]

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has adopted a new version of the Bluetooth Core Specification (v6.0). The new v6.0 BT Core Spec includes a variety of new features and enhancements: Bluetooth® Channel Sounding: This feature enables distance awareness, for Find My solutions, making it easier and faster to locate lost items. Decision-Based Advertising Filtering: Decision-based advertising filtering [...]

  It’s no secret that the lighting industry is increasingly selling electrification products, including EV chargers. The ISO 15118-1:2019 standard, “Road Vehicles – Vehicle to grid communication interface” is one of the most important EV charger standards in the world, today. The smart charging requirements in ISO 15118 enable matching the grid’s capacity and the [...]

The Global Lighting Association (GLA) has published a white paper, Implementing Internationally Harmonised Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) & Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) For Lighting Products. The international drive for product sustainability has created LCAs and EPDs as tools for quantifying and communicating the environmental impacts of many types of products. LCAs and EPDs are now [...]

By Patrick Treadway, President, Syndesis LLC “UL is a government agency” the supplier was trying to explain to me over the phone, “we don’t want to break a law,” he concluded. If anyone has been engaged in product development using offshore manufacturing long enough, he or she has likely heard similar remarks. Another comment heard [...]

In May, UL published the Sixth Edition of ANSI/UL 1993, dated May 17, 2024. UL 1993 is the most important safety standard for lamps / light bulbs. The standard covers both self-ballasted lamps and self-ballasted lamp adapters rated 120-347VAC nominal for connection to screw-base, pin-base, or recessed single contact (RSC or R7) lampholders. These devices [...]

On June 4, 2024, Fitwel, a leading global healthy building certification, released Version 3 (“v3”) of its standard. This update strives to incorporate the latest public health research to optimize real estate assets for health and quality of life, future-proof them for climate adaptation, and maximize real estate value. Overall, the Fitwel standard is guided [...]

The Design Lights Consortium (DLC) has released their final version of v5.1 Networked Lighting Control technical requirements (NLC5.1). NLC5.1 is a minor revision that contains updates to the policy’s energy monitoring and cybersecurity requirements. There will not be a delisting associated with the policy. Existing listed v5.0 NLC will continue to be DLC listed. Cybersecurity Updates: Now [...]