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• Guide to NOM 030 ENER 2016: Limits and Test Methods for LED Lighting Sold in Mexico

Guide to NOM 030 ENER 2016: Limits and Test Methods for LED Lighting Sold in Mexico

NOM-030-ENER-2016 is an Official Mexican Standard that establishes specifications and test methods for the energy efficiency of integrated light-emitting diode (LED) lamps intended for general lighting. This standard sets minimum efficiency levels for LED lamps by measuring how much light they produce per unit of energy (luminous efficacy thresholds).

This article outlines the scope and essential compliance guidelines for NOM-030-ENER-2016, empowering you to legally introduce your LED lighting products into the Mexican market.

For background information, see: What Is NOM Certification for Mexico?

Purpose of NOM-030-ENER-2016

The purpose of NOM-030-ENER-2016 is to promote energy efficiency in integrated LED lamps used for general lighting in Mexico. It achieves this by:

• Setting minimum performance standards: This ensures a certain level of luminous efficacy for LED lamps, a measure of how well a light source produces visible light using a given amount of power.

• Establishing testing methods: This guarantees consistent evaluation of lamp performance across different manufacturers.

• Promoting energy savings: By encouraging the use of efficient LED lamps, the standard helps reduce overall energy consumption in the country.

Scope: Products Covered

NOM-030-ENER-2016 specifies energy efficiency requirements for integrated LED lamps designed for general lighting purposes.

It applies specifically to integrated LED lamps, standalone light sources that are ready to use upon installation. The NOM applies to both omnidirectional and directional LED lamps with electrical supply voltages from 100 V to 277 V a.c. and 50 Hz or 60 Hz frequency.

• Omnidirectional Integrated LED Lamps: Lamps that emit light in all directions, which must meet specific luminous efficacy criteria.

• Directional Integrated LED Lamps: Lamps designed to focus light in a specific direction, also required to comply with defined luminous efficacy standards.

• Various Bulb Shapes and Types: Including, but not limited to, bulbs with shapes designated as A, BT, P, PS, and T for omnidirectional lamps, and AR111, BR, ER, MR, PAR, and R for directional lamps.

Exclusions

Not all types of LED lighting are subject to the specifications of NOM-030-ENER-2016. The following are excluded or exempt from this standard:

• Products Already Covered: Products established in another Official Mexican Standard on energy efficiency.

• LED Lamps with Control Accessories: Integrated LED lamps that incorporate controls such as photocells, motion detectors, radio controls, or light dimmers within the lamp body.

• LED Luminaires: Complete lighting system, which has a light source based on LED technology, controller, heat sink, and optical control to distribute light.

• LED Modules: Light source that has one or more LEDs, may contain additional elements such as optical, mechanical, electrical, and electronic, excluding the controller.

• Low Voltage LED Lamps: LED lamps operating at voltages equal to or less than 24 V in direct current (DC).

• LED Tube Lamps: Specifically designed tubular LED lamps.

• Color Changing LED Lamps: Lamps capable of color change or color temperature change.

• Decorative LED Lamps: Lamps used for decorative purposes with pearlescent finishes.

Source: Section 1of NOM-030-ENER-2016

Key Requirements of NOM-030-ENER-2016

Here is a high-level summary of the standard’s key requirements:

Energy Efficiency Requirements

• Minimum Luminous Efficacy: The standard specifies luminous efficacy thresholds for different categories of lamps. For example, omnidirectional LED lamps with bulb shapes A, BT, P, PS, and T must meet a minimum luminous efficacy ranging from 55 lm/W to 70 lm/W, depending on their rated luminous flux range (categorization of lighting products, specifically LED lamps, based on the amount of light, measured in lumens, that they emit during normal operation).

• Performance Benchmarks: These benchmarks ensure that LED lamps maintain a significant percentage of their luminous efficacy over their rated lifetime, with specifics varying by the lamp’s declared service life.

Minimum Luminous Efficacy Requirements for Integrated LED Lamps

Source: Tables 1,2 and 3

Testing Requirements

• Test Methods: Tests include total luminous flux measurement, luminous efficacy calculation, and color rendering index evaluation. Test methods are laid out in Section 7 of the NOM.

• Test Conditions: The standard requires testing at specific temperatures and states that lamps must be stabilized at these conditions before testing to ensure accuracy. Tests for initial total luminous flux, for example, must be conducted after a stabilization period.

Labeling Requirements

• Product Body Marking: Each lamp must be marked with:

  • The name or registered trademark of the manufacturer or marketer

  • Nominal electrical data of the input electrical voltage, frequency, electrical power and electric current intensity

  • The date or code that allows identifying the manufacturing period

  • Product model

  • Luminous flux

• Packaging Information: Packaging must clearly list:

  • Product identification (graphic, name, model)Manufacturer/importer details (name, address)Country of origin

  • Electrical data (voltage, frequency, power, current)Light characteristics (distribution type, bulb type)

  • Performance data (luminous flux, color temperature, lifespan)

  • Content disclosure (if product not visible or packaging lacks graphic representation)

  • Equivalence comparison (to incandescent lamps)

  • Nomenclature of the type of base for the integrated LED lamp

  • More information on these requirements can be found in Section 9.

• Durability of Markings: The standard specifies that markings must remain legible under normal use conditions, including resistance to environmental factors such as moisture and heat, which is typically verified through specific durability tests.

Certification

• Initial Certification: Manufacturers are required to conduct initial testing of lamps, submitting a test result report to verify compliance with NOM-030-ENER-2016 requirements, including luminous efficacy. The initial certification for lamps with a life expectancy of up to 30,000 hours remains valid for 7 months, pending further testing results.

• Periodic Testing and Surveillance: Lamps must undergo subsequent testing at designated intervals (1,000, 3,000, and 6,000 hours) to ensure they continue to meet performance standards throughout their claimed lifespan. These periodic evaluations are essential for maintaining certification validity.

• Final Certification: A final certificate of conformity is issued after passing additional specified testing verifying the lamp’s compliance over extended use. This certificate's validity can extend up to 21 months, depending on the product’s declared nominal useful life and testing results.

Ensure Compliance with QIMA-NYCE

QIMA-NYCE offers comprehensive support for obtaining NOM certification, essential for selling lighting products in Mexico. Our services include:

• Laboratory Testing: Our state-of-the-art laboratory testing helps ensure compliance with each testing standard outlined in the NOM.

• Documentation Review: Our regulatory experts meticulously review all required documents.

• NOM Certification: We are an approved certifying body for NOM certification. We offer certification for products that meet all regulatory requirements, streamlining your legal market entry in Mexico.

To learn more about how we can assist you with NOM 030 ENER certification or to start the certification process, please learn more about our NOM certification services or contact us today to book.