Human centric lighting is intended to promote a person’s well-being, mood and health. It can improve concentration, safety and efficiency in workplaces or educational environments. It can support healing processes and prevention of chronic diseases among persons with irregular daily routines or in elder care. For the first time, a joint study by LightingEurope, the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI), and the global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney shows that human centric lighting can become a multi-billion-euro business, covering around 7% of the general lighting market in Europe. 

Human centric lighting enormously widens the applications of light from simply visual tasks as it is clear lighting now includes biological and emotional effects. After the detection of a third photoreceptor besides rods and cones in the human eye at the beginning of this millennium, effects on human biological rhythms could be related to specific light conditions. Examples include the sleep/wake cycle, daily changes in alertness, performance and mood (circadian changes) as well as responses to seasonal changes. “Human centric lighting solutions can actively support the circadian rhythm of human beings, thus promoting a person’s well-being, mood and health.” said Alfred Wacker, Chair of LightingEurope’s Light and Health Working Group. 

Dynamic changes of color temperature and illuminance and a wide distribution of light from both direct and indirect light sources stimulate the human organism throughout the day. While it has not been in the scope of customers, industry and policy makers thus far, a substantial growth trajectory is expected for this market. This growth is fueled by the technology transition from conventional light sources to LED modules. The European industry is well positioned to take a leading role in this sector. Policy makers and industry players need to work hand in hand to leverage Europe’s innovation capabilities, integration competence and solution-oriented understanding of customer requirements.