Revision of Energy Conservation Certification Standards for LED Luminaires for Road and Tunnel Lighting

On January 22nd, the China Quality Certification Centre (CQC) issued a notice announcing the revision of the energy conservation certification rules for LED luminaires used in road and tunnel lighting, in order to align with the new national standards. This change will have a direct impact on the certification and market access of related products.

The core of this revision is the update of the certification basis standard from GB 37478-2019 to GB 37478-2025, "Minimum Allowable Values of Energy Efficiency and Energy Efficiency Grades for LED Luminaires for Road and Tunnel Lighting." The new standard will be officially implemented on June 1, 2026.

I. Main Revisions to the Certification Rules

The scope of application is modified according to GB 37478-2025.

The certification basis standard GB 37478-2025 replaces GB 37478-2019.

Requirements such as the rated lifetime commitment letter are removed from the application documents.

The principles for dividing model groups are revised based on the energy efficiency evaluation limit values determined in the new standard.

The sample submission rules for the main tested model are modified.

The type test items and test methods are revised according to the requirements of the new standard.

The product testing cycle is modified.

The factory quality control inspection requirements are revised according to the new standard.

The items for supervision sampling and testing are modified.

The template for the product rated lifetime commitment letter is deleted.

II. Implementation Plan for the New Standard

Effective immediately, enterprises can voluntarily choose to apply for certification based on either the new or the old standard. From June 1, 2026, CQC will implement certification using the new standard and issue new standard certification certificates; no further certificates based on the old standard will be issued.

For products already certified against the old standard, the holders of these old standard certificates must submit an application to CQC for converting to the new standard certificate before the first follow-up inspection after the implementation date of the new standard. They must also complete the supplementary tests covering the differences between the old and new standards (see attachment) and finish the product confirmation and certificate conversion process based on the new standard within one year after the new standard's implementation. All conversion work for old standard certification certificates must be completed by May 31, 2027. Certificates not converted by this deadline will be suspended by CQC; certificates still not converted by September 1, 2027, will be revoked by CQC.

For certified products that were manufactured, placed on the market, and discontinued before June 1, 2026, certificate conversion is not required.

The requirements stated in the announcement regarding the implementation of the new standard for energy conservation certification of LED luminaires for road and tunnel lighting do not exempt related products from their responsibility to comply with the relevant provisions of the "Standardization Law of the People's Republic of China."

Relevant laboratories can report their testing capabilities for GB 37478-2025 to CQC for filing and should promptly file the accreditation and recognition status of their laboratories for GB 37478-2025.

Effective immediately, CQC begins accepting certification applications based on the new standard. Enterprises can submit applications through the China Quality Certification Centre's official website (www.cqc.com.cn).