CE marking for LED lighting

LED luminaires, drivers, and control gear typically need CE marking under three frameworks: EMC, LVD, and the Ecodesign/ErP Regulation. Here's how they fit together.

The three frameworks for lighting products

EMC Directive 2014/30/EU

LED drivers contain switching electronics that generate electromagnetic emissions. The EMC Directive applies to luminaires and control gear that contain active electronics. Key concern areas: conducted emissions on the mains supply line, radiated emissions, and immunity to external disturbances (ESD, voltage dips, surges).

Primary standard: EN 55015 (Limits and methods of measurement of radio disturbance characteristics of electrical lighting and similar equipment). Also apply EN 61000-3-2 for harmonic current emissions if input current > 16A.

Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU

Mains-connected luminaires and LED drivers operating at 50–1000V AC fall under LVD. The directive requires products to be safe against electrical shock, fire, and thermal hazards.

The primary harmonised standard for luminaires is EN 60598-1 (General requirements) plus the applicable part-2 standard for the luminaire type (e.g. EN 60598-2-1 for fixed general purpose luminaires, EN 60598-2-22 for emergency lighting).

LED drivers and control gear are covered by EN 61347-1 (General and safety requirements) and EN 61347-2-13 (Particular requirements for LED control gear).

Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2019/2020

The ErP (Energy-related Products) Ecodesign Regulation sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for light sources placed on the EU market. Key obligations:

• Light sources must meet minimum luminous efficacy thresholds (typically ≥ 85 lm/W for most LED light sources)
• Maximum standby power for products with standby function
• Colour rendering index ≥ 80 (Ra ≥ 80)
• Technical product sheet and extended product information sheet must be provided to distributors
• Energy label required for certain categories

The UK retained version of the Ecodesign regulations applies the same requirements for the GB market under SI 2021/745.

Conformity assessment routes

All three frameworks allow self-declaration for standard luminaires and LED drivers. No Notified Body involvement is required for routine products. The process:

1. Test against EN 55015, EN 61000-3-2 (EMC)
2. Test against EN 60598-1 + relevant part 2 (safety)
3. Verify ErP energy efficiency requirements
4. Compile a single Technical Construction File covering all three frameworks
5. Sign a Declaration of Conformity referencing all applicable directives/regulations
6. Affix CE mark

Standards quick reference

Special cases

Smart / connected luminaires

Luminaires with integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee for dimming/colour control also fall under RED 2014/53/EU. RED then covers the EMC requirements; EN 55015 is still used as the relevant harmonised standard for lighting emissions within RED's scope. You still need LVD and ErP independently.

DALI / 0-10V control gear

Wired control protocols are not radio and do not trigger RED. EMC and LVD cover the required essential requirements for DALI-controlled drivers.

Low-voltage landscape lighting (SELV)

12V or 24V DC luminaires below the LVD voltage threshold do not require LVD assessment. EMC and ErP still apply if relevant.

Common mistakes

• Wrong EMC standard — using EN 55032 (for multimedia equipment) instead of EN 55015 (specifically for lighting). Both may be required if a product combines IT and lighting functions.
• Missing ErP energy data — failing to provide the required product information sheet to distributors is a compliance gap even if the product meets the efficacy requirements.
• Not accounting for connected versions separately — a standard and a smart version of the same luminaire may have different directive scope.
• Ignoring flicker requirements — EN 61000-3-3 (voltage fluctuations) and stroboscopic effect limits apply to mains-connected LED products.