The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), a member of the Global Lighting Forum (GLF), has announced an initiative to coordinate and promote LED (light emitting diode) technology on a global level.

In order to accelerate the uptake of LED lighting, GLF held the inaugural meeting of its LED Working Group recently in Shenzhen, China.

According to GLF Chairman Jan Denneman, LEDs hold great promise to revolutionize lighting because of their inherent benefits of energy efficiency, light quality, longevity, and adaptability.

“LEDs will play a dominant role in nearly every lighting application,” Denneman said. “The world will witness a revolution in lighting that will help reduce energy consumption while enabling the development of new lighting experiences.”

In order to ensure the smooth introduction of LEDs, GLF has instituted working groups and other processes dedicated to the technology. GLF priorities include:

-Liaising with stakeholders, including governments and international organizations, to ensure that LED products provide consumers with a good experience

-Assisting with international standards development and encouraging the harmonization of standards in different regions of the world

-Producing educational material on solid state lighting, including the development of best practice guides and a guide to solid state lighting nomenclature

For more information, contact GLF Secretary General Jürgen Sturm ([email protected]).

GLF is an international forum of industry organizations representing more than 5,000 lighting manufacturers and $50 billion annual sales. It includes Abilux (Brazil); China Association of Lighting Industry; Electric Lamp and Component Manufacturers Association (India); European Lamp Companies Federation; Japan Electric Lamp Manufacturers Association; Japan Luminaires Association; Lighting Council Australia; National Electrical Manufacturers Association (USA); Taiwan Lighting Fixture Export Association; and CELMA (a Europe federation representing 19 national manufacturer associations for luminaires and electrotechnical components for luminaires), an observing member.

NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The NEMA Lamp Section consists of 15 manufacturers of all types of lamps (light bulbs). The association’s Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.