Lighting Global has developed two complementary sets of standardized test methods to evaluate the performance of off-grid lighting products sold in Africa.
The first is the Lighting Global Quality Test Method (LG-QTM), which is the full test method used to verify comprehensive product performance.
The second method is an abbreviated version of the full LG-QTM called the Lighting Global Initial Screening Method (LG-ISM), used to quickly verify whether or not a product passes a basic quality and performance assessment.
Both test methods are available for companies interested in getting feedback on their products ability to pass various thresholds of quality and for use by product manufacturers, government agencies, multi-lateral institutions, bulk-purchasing agents, non-government organizations (NGOs), importers, and others looking for a benchmark to identify good-quality products or verify compliance with minimum performance levels. Both methods are designed to be faster and less expensive (with regard to both labor costs and test instrument requirements) than many existing test methods for solar and lighting products.
Over the past two years, over 50 products have been tested under the LG-QTM and LG-ISM. To date, 14 products have both passed the minimum quality standards AND met the recommended performance targets following independent third-party testing.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINIMUM QUALITY STANDARDS AND THE RECOMMENDED PERFORMANCE TARGETS? 
The Minimum Quality Standards focus on truth-in-advertising and adherence to basic quality criteria, such as lumen maintenance, IP-class, and durability tests. Products that have been tested according to the LG-QTM and passed the minimum quality standards have the opportunity to have a Lighting Global Standardized Specification Sheet of their product(s) and the option to have performance results verified, and to report the results to bulk buyers, government agencies, and other interested parties.
Meeting the Recommended Performance Targets includes passing the minimum quality standards in addition to meeting specific performance run time and light output targets. Companies with products that meet the recommended performance targets are elibile to receive additional Business Development Services (BDS) offered by Lighting Africa.
Learn more: Lighting Africa Minimum Standards and Performance Targets
A supporting document for the Standards and Targets is the Integrated Water Protection Assessment, a new approach for considering water protection.
Lighting Africa developed two complementary sets of standardized test methods to evaluate the performance of off-grid lighting products sold in Africa. The first is the Lighting Africa Quality Test Method (LA-QTM), which is the full test method used to verify comprehensive product performance. The second method is an abbreviated version of the full LA-QTM called the Lighting Africa Initial Screening Method (LA-ISM), used to quickly verify whether or not a product passes a basic quality and performance assessment. Both test methods are available for companies interested in getting feedback on their products ability to pass various thresholds of quality and for use by product manufacturers, government agencies, multi-lateral institutions, bulk-purchasing agents, non-government organizations (NGOs), importers, and others looking for a benchmark to identify good-quality products or verify compliance with minimum performance levels. Both methods are designed to be faster and less expensive (with regard to both labor costs and test instrument requirements) than many existing test methods for solar and lighting products.
Over the past two years, over 50 products have been tested under the LA-QTM and LA-ISM. To date, eight products have met or exceeded Lighting Africa's quality and performance requirements following testing under LA-QTM, making them eligible to become Lighting Africa Associates.
Products that have been tested according to the LA-QTM have the opportunity to have a Lighting Africa Specification Sheet of their product(s) published, and to report verified performance results to bulk buyers, government agencies, and other interested parties.
Learn more: >
Lighting Africa Quality Test Method (LA-QTM)[L1] (this is the most comprehensive test LA offers)
Lighting Africa Initial Screening Method (LA-ISM) [L2] ( this is the abbreviated version of the LA-QTM test)
Ø Lighting Africa's Quality and Performance Requirements to become a Lighting Africa Associate
HOW CAN I ACCESS PRODUCT SPECIFICATION SHEETS FOR LA APPROVED PRODUCTS (THOSE THAT HAVE PASSED THE MINIMUM STANDARDS) AND FIND OUT WHICH PRODUCT'S MANUFACTURER CLAIMS HAVE BEEN VERIFIED?
Download Standardized Specification Sheets (SSS) and see which product's manufacturer's claims have been verified by Lighting Africa
HOW DO I SUBMIT A PRODUCT(S) FOR TESTING?
If you want to submit a product(s) for testing by Lighting Global or have additional questions about Lighting Global's product testing program, Click here to fill in the questionnaire
