LightingEurope calls for light quality and human wellbeing legislation

LightingEurope president and Philips vice president Jan Denneman believes that human-centric lighting can add tremendous value to society and to the lighting industry. Source: Mark Halper.

For example, some studies have suggested that schools increase the levels of blue frequencies in the morning to help stimulate alertness. Along the same lines, many studies have shown that blue hues at night can undermine sleep, and thus call for more relaxing reds and oranges. The upshot in both cases is that indoor lighting should mimic the patterns of natural daylight that support human circadian rhythms.

In one application, researchers believe that circadian lighting can help treat dementia patients.

The LightingEurope statement addresses both indoor and outdoor lighting. It notes that efficiency regulations can actually undermine safety.

“Whilst saving energy is very important for the environment, we should not forget the importance of addressing human comfort, well-being, and task performance, via good quality lighting,” it says. “There are few if no mandatory requirements for the provision of minimum light quality and most that do exist are negative criteria, i.e. the absence of discomfort does not imply the presence of comfort.