The Declare Label: A Symbol of Transparency and Sustainability in the Lighting Environment

By Randy Reid

The lighting environment has a profound impact on the health of the planet and its inhabitants, making it increasingly important to adopt sustainable practices in construction and design. One of the ways this is being achieved is through the Declare label, a product declaration system that provides transparency about the materials used in a product and their impact on human health and the environment. The Declare label, created by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), is a tool that is helping to drive the adoption of sustainable materials in the built environment. It provides information on where a product comes from, what it is made of, and where it goes at the end of its life.

Declare has gained traction in our industry in recent years as the Declare label provides building owners and designers with a simple and easy way to identify products that have met rigorous sustainability criteria. Many leading lighting companies have been awarded the Declare label for their environmentally responsible products. Some of the companies that have received the label include Acuity Brands, ConTech, Coronet, DMF Lighting, Finelite, Lightglass, Lightly, Lucalight, LuxxBoxx, Prudential Lighting, Q-TRAN, Selux, Spectrum Lighting, Tubelite, USAI, XAL, and Xico Lighting.

In September of 2021, ConTech Lighting, a division of Leviton, announced that the company had become the first in the industry to receive the Declare label for its track lighting products. Michael Lehman, General Manager, explained the process, stating that there was no existing category for track lighting at the time. He went on to say that the process of obtaining the label was rigorous and lasted for six months. Every aspect of the product, from paint, metal, wire, drivers, to the potting compound within the driver, was thoroughly evaluated and cross-referenced against lists of known chemicals and carcinogens. Despite the time and effort involved, Michael emphasized that transparency is critical, and Declare offers tremendous benefits for lighting specifiers and the people that occupy our spaces.

The Declare label for ConTech's track lighting.

Declare has approved ConTech's entire track system, as well as the mini-Stealth Track family.

In requesting a Declare label for a product, a manufacturer must disclose all of that product's intentionally added constituent chemicals to the designated 100 parts per million (ppm) reporting threshold. Additionally, the manufacturer must report the extent to which that product is compliant with the Toxnot rating system, which includes three categories: Red List Free, LBC Red List Approved and Declared.

Red List Free

The Red List Free rating is assigned to products that do not contain any of the chemicals listed on the Red List. This means that these products are safer for use and are less likely to pose a threat to human health or the environment. The Red List Free rating is a good choice for professionals who are concerned about health and safety, as well as for those who are looking to reduce their impact on the environment.

LBC Red List Approved (formerly LBC Compliant)

The LBC Compliant is a rating system used by the Living Building Challenge (LBC), a program that encourages sustainable building practices. For a manufacturer to claim its product is LBC Red List Approved, it must disclose 99% of ingredients and residuals present at or above 100ppm, or 0.01 percent. While the LBC aims to eliminate the use of all chemicals on the Red List, exceptions exist because the building industry faces material limitations.

The Living Building Challenge compliant DCC cylinders from DMF Lighting.

Declared (Red List)

The Declared or Red List rating is assigned to products that contain chemicals that have been identified as having high toxicity. Declared products disclose 100% of ingredients present in the final product but contain one or more Red List chemicals that are not covered by an approved exception. Products that receive a Red List rating are of high concern and are typically avoided by professionals who are concerned about health and safety.

We are proud to say that many of our products have achieved the Declare digital label. We support product transparency and sustainability and integrate environmentally-friendly policies into our organization and products at every opportunity.

- Bonnie Littman, President of USAI Lighting

It’s not just about chemicals and components. The Declare label must show end-of-life options, including how much of the luminaire can be recycled and the percentage that goes to the landfill.

According to Kate Sterling, VP of Marketing at Q-Tran, the company has achieved Declare certification for over 95% of its linear luminaires. Q-Tran's President, Gean Tremaine, stated, "We know sustainability is a part of our responsibility as a manufacturer in the architectural lighting space. LED products are inherently efficacious, but extensive material transparency shows our dedication to doing more." Meanwhile, Sterling mentioned that the company now has its eye set on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which include calculating the total carbon footprint throughout the product's entire lifecycle. "We are part of the GreenLight Alliance, which is developing the first industry specific EPDs for LED lighting. Getting Declare labels for so many of our products was a challenge; EPDs are a much bigger task. But we're committed to pushing sustainability further, for the company and for the industry."

The Wave-RGB from the Q-CAP product family from Q-Tran is one of its many products to receive a Declare label.

Several manufacturers claim that lighting designers are asking about Declare, and it is quickly gaining traction. At Light Middle East in Dubai, many designers spoke of the importance of Declare and its role in moving toward a circular economy.

Donna Sumner, Director of Architectural Product Solutions at Acuity Brands, stated that architectural and lighting professionals are taking advantage of Declare’s significant influence in promoting human health, society, and the planet. By choosing products from responsible manufacturers that are transparent about their materials and optimizing fixture performance, professionals can further reduce their environmental impact and create sustainable designs for everyone's benefit. Sumner highlights Acuity Brands' commitment to material transparency and their participation in the Declare program with several of its brands and products. This helps designers obtain the information they need to make informed choices that align with their sustainability goals.

Declare is a feature that does not affect light output, efficiency, or cost. It is a tool that manufacturers can use to differentiate their products while encouraging the industry to become more transparent—and that’s a good thing! ■