The Short Version
DLC 5.1 raised minimum efficacy thresholds across nearly every product category and tightened the controllability requirements. Products listed under 5.0 do not automatically carry over — they must be re-tested and re-listed.
Key Threshold Changes
- Industrial high bay: minimum efficacy raised from 125 lm/W to 140 lm/W for standard listings
- Linear ambient: raised to 130 lm/W
- Premium tier: now requires integral or networked control capability, not just dimmability
Why This Affects Your Project Budget
Utility rebate programmes in most North American territories reference the DLC Qualified Products List directly. If the fixture you specified was listed under 5.0 and has not been re-qualified, your rebate application will be rejected at review — often months after installation, when the budget has already been closed out.
What to Ask Your Supplier
Request the current DLC listing ID and verify it yourself on the DLC QPL portal. A datasheet claiming “DLC listed” without a live listing ID is not sufficient evidence for a rebate submission.
All fixtures in our current catalogue carry active DLC 5.1 Premium listings. Contact our team for the full listing reference sheet.
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