UL Taiwan has pointed out that LED lighting firms have to face difficulties to enter different markets due to entry barriers. They need to face variations in safety standards and power voltages while trying to obtain local certification for the products. Otherwise, it would be difficult to bid for projects.

For example, LED components need to pass LM-79 LED luminaire testing, which can take up to nine months. Even more, some firms have been waiting to get products tested for six months, which means the entire process will take about one and a half year. And because of the long processing time, only 5-6 Taiwan-based firms have products that have passed the LM-80 tests.

According to UL Taiwan, currently global LED lighting standards are divided into two categories – North America and non-North America (IEC for Europe).

It’s noted that Japan began setting PSE conformity assessment certification standards in July 2012. Therefore, all LED light bulbs and lights sold in Japan will be required to have a PSE sticker.

However, Robert Yeh, chairman of Everlight shows confidence of outlook in 2013.He believes the LED market output value will increase to US$15 billion in 2013 with penetration rate increasing 25%. In addition, Asia will become the largest LED lighting market in 2013 with market share of around 39%.