Introducing the Enhanced ICEL Product Certification Scheme

The LIA and ICEL are excited to announce the launch of the newly enhanced ICEL Product Certification Scheme, a significant advancement in their ongoing commitment to excellence in emergency lighting. Developed by the Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting (ICEL), this updated scheme marks a crucial shift from an endorsed model to a certified one, offering even greater assurance of quality and safety in emergency lighting products.

ICEL is dedicated to strengthening the emergency lighting industry by promoting the importance of high-quality products that meet stringent safety standards. ICEL represents the interests of the industry at the highest levels of UK, EU, and international legislation and standards. Their mission extends beyond industry support and are committed to safeguarding public safety and supporting members by ensuring that emergency lighting requirements are met with the highest standards of quality.

The new scheme is designed to provide independent verification of emergency lighting products, offering a trusted mark of quality that end users can rely on. Products certified under the scheme, and bearing the ICEL Certification mark, have undergone a rigorous review process to ensure they meet the required standards. This process includes a thorough evaluation of products and supporting technical documentation to verify the claims made by manufacturers.

This updated scheme covers a wide range of emergency lighting products, including luminaires, control gears, and batteries. The scheme has been developed to support UK lighting companies that manufacture or supply products for emergency lighting applications, recognising products that conform to the Low Voltage Directive and the UK Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations.

For those already participating in the previous endorsed scheme there will be a transitional period to ensure a smooth shift to the new certification requirements. The enhanced scheme has been brought up to date with new requirements and a broader scope, allowing all areas of the lighting industry to apply for certification. This improvement aims to instil confidence across the entire emergency lighting chain.

One of the key updates to the scheme includes the requirement for manufacturers to provide photometric data, which will be reviewed by The LIA Laboratory and where necessary, retested. This additional layer of scrutiny gives further confidence that the photometric claims made by manufacturers are accurate.

Benefits of the Scheme

Verification of product claims provides end users with the confidence they need when selecting emergency lighting products. This scheme is now available for anyone to download, expanding access beyond just ICEL members.

The ICEL Product Certification Scheme complements the established standards of the ENEC mark and the BSI Kitemark by providing specialised assurance uniquely tailored for the emergency lighting sector. While these certifications already serve as the benchmarks for quality and safety, the ICEL Scheme offers an additional option. This targeted certification may be particularly beneficial for companies seeking a solution that better aligns with their specific needs within the emergency lighting industry.

Alan Daniels, Chair of the ICEL Council, states, “The enhancements to the ICEL Product Certification Scheme reflect our dedication to advancing industry standards. The independent verification process ensures that every certified product meets the highest levels of safety and performance.”

Ayca Donaghy, CEO of The LIA, adds, “This scheme is a testament to our commitment to quality and compliance, one of the key priorities of The LIA President’s strategic focus for 2024. By setting a new standard for certification, we are helping to ensure that all stakeholders can have complete confidence in the products they use.”