Taiwan's Photonics Industry & Technology Development Association (PIDA) signed a memorandum of understanding in September for cooperation on LED lighting standardization with the European Photonic Industry Consortium (EPIC), Korea LED Association (KLEDA), Electrical & Electronics Association Malaysia (TEEAM), and Japan's LED Products Manufacturers' Association (LEDMA) and Decoration LED Spread Association (DLEDA), according to cens.com.

This is the first time that the Taiwan organization, a nonprofit that is overseen by the National Science Council and represents over 600 local photonics companies, has partnered with its foreign counterparts in the push for LED lighting standardization.

David Heh, a senior manager in PIDA's LED Business Division, represented PIDA in signing MOU, explained the reasoning behind the MOU: “It's natural for the six organizations to enter into partnership as they share the same goal—cultivating photonics brainpower and pushing for collaboration between the private sector and academic institutes in their respective countries.”

Heh points out that cooperation among the six bodies will help the LED manufacturers they represent better understand the development of LED standardization in their countries and allow them to systematically exchange information with one another.

The six associations will meet regularly at the World LED Standardization Conference, which is held on the sideline of the LED & Display Expo in Seoul, South Korea.

Korea's KLEDA led the formation of the partnership with the aim of creating an international LED standardization body. “Based on the MOU,” comments KLEDA chairman Ki Ho Kim, “we will work together to push for international standardization of LEDs.”

Chairman Haruhiko Kobayashi of Japan's DLEDA notes, “DLEDA is dedicated to strengthening the LED industrial structure, which is in agreement with the aim of KLEDA and PIDA.” (KL)

Caption:

Hand in hand (left to right): PIDA's David Heh, EPIC Secretary General Thomas Pearsall, TEEAM Chairman C.T. Siew, KLEDA Executive Director Bang Byung Kuk, and DLEDA Chairman Haruhiko Kobayashi.