DOE is proposing to add new categories of products to the Energy Star SSL program according to a report in LEDs Magazine. Comments on the proposed changes are requested by September 15, 2008.

On September 12, 2007 DOE released the final Energy Star Criteria for SSL after extensive public review and comment. In the criteria DOE stated: "Due to the rapid pace of LED technology development, DOE anticipates regular revisions to these criteria. DOE anticipates that new applications will be added to the criteria as LED performance and efficacy improve. Revisions will be announced to all partners with time for input and review."

Consistent with the above statement, and after review of the state of the technology, CALiPER testing results, and requests from stakeholders to expand the range of products capable of bearing the Energy Star label, DOE is proposing to add new categories of products to the Energy Star SSL program.

DOE first declared its intention to expand the applications allowed under Category A on March 21, 2008. DOE presented its plans with lighting manufacturers and other stakeholders in a May 15, 2008 workshop in Washington, DC, that was attended by over 100 stakeholders. Pursuant to the plans presented at that workshop, DOE has developed draft criteria for these new product categories.

Richard Karney, the DOEs Energy Star Products Manager said that it is important to note these new proposed criteria only expand the number of defined product types covered by the criteria. These additional criteria are application-specific. The general requirements remain unchanged, as do the application-specific requirements for products that were included in the original criteria.

Given the new criteria do not change requirements for any products already covered by Version 1.0, and given DOEs belief that this expansion does not negatively impact the competition in the marketplace, DOE is considering a modest delay (60 days) between their finalization and their effective date. Depending on the comments received in response to this draft, and the amount of time required to resolve issues raised in those comments, we anticipate the effective date to be approximately December 15, 2008.