The National Lighting Bureau (NLB) has collected 1,200 incandescent lightbulbs for the American Porphyria Foundation (APF).

Lutron Electronics recently announced the introduction of Athena: a simple, flexible, all-in-one solution that elevates everyday experiences with the magic of light. The debut is Lutron’s most significant commercial system release since April 2018, when they acquired Ketra.

The use of germicidal lighting as a potential way to combat germs and viruses, including COVID-19, is receiving a lot of interest and publicity lately. Germicidal ultraviolet "light" or GUV refers to the technology of germicidal lighting, which utilizes ultraviolet-emitting sources. While GUV is a technology with great opportunity, it is more complicated than simply turning on a UV light.

Last week, President Donald Trump and China’s Vice-Premier Liu He formally signed the Phase One trade deal, easing the recent friction.

The American Lighting Association (ALA) is tracking all lighting-related tariff exclusions granted from List 3.

Also last week, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced it had completed its work updating the so-called Process Rule.

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) continues to process the exclusion requests submitted for List 3.

The requirements for JA-8 high-efficacy remain largely unchanged. However, there are some items worth noting. 

Last month, the California Energy Commission (CEC) voted to ignore federal preemption and expand the definition for general service lamps (GSL). Thus, beginning Jan. 1, 2020, it will be against the law in California to sell nearly all GSLs with an efficacy of less than 45 lumens per watt (lpw).

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is working through the plethora of exclusion requests submitted for List 3. Several ALA members participated in the process and are still awaiting a final decision.

As we close out 2019, there is still much uncertainty about what will happen with List 4b. Currently slated to take effect this coming Sunday, Dec. 15, List 4b will add an additional 15-percent duty on covered goods coming from China. Ceiling fans and finished good LEDs are included on List 4b.

Late last week, the USTR issued a statement that exclusion requests for products on List 4A will be accepted, beginning Oct. 31. Requests must be submitted using USTR’s Exclusions Process Portal.

Rick Wiedemer of Hinkley Lighting was posthumously inducted into the 2019 Lighting Hall of Fame during the ALA Annual Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., on the evening of Sept. 17.

The 2019 Pillar of the Industry award winners were honored during the ALA Annual Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., the afternoon of Monday, Sept. 16.

For almost six decades, Lutron Electronics has been a leader in the lighting control industry. Now, as Lutron celebrates its new Commercial Experience Center in Manhattan, the company is once again bringing bold ideas and a fresh vitality to lighting and design.