DesignLights Consortium and Continental Automated Buildings Association Sign Smart Buildings Collaboration Pact

LDS 13 CS DesignLights 400

July 3, 2019

The reciprocal agreement lays a foundation for information sharing and teamwork to advance building intelligence and connected home issues.

CABA is a global non-profit industry association dedicated to advancing home and intelligent building technologies that foster better utilization of building space, occupant comfort, and energy savings. The DLC is devoted to driving efficient lighting by defining quality, facilitating thought leadership and providing tools and resources to the lighting market. The DLC’s just-released Networked Lighting Control System Technical Requirements V4.0 policy addresses roadblocks to wider adoption of technology capable of serving as a smart building gateway while significantly boosting the energy efficiency of light emitting diode (LED) fixtures.

“The DLC has become increasingly interested in networked lighting’s ability to increase energy savings, while unlocking the Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities of commercial and industrial lighting,” DLC Executive Director Christina Halfpenny says. “We were thrilled to include CABA’s expertise in this arena at our recent Annual Stakeholder Meeting. This agreement cements our relationship and formalizes our intention to work together to advance smart building technology.”

“DLC is a force-multiplier for the innovation that is happening right now in the efficient lighting sector, by providing outstanding industry resources, thought leadership, and policy tools to establish quality,” says Ron Zimmer, President and CEO of CABA. “Our organizations share similar perspectives on the work of advancing intelligent building technologies, and the creation of this formal partnership between us will advance a common vision of accelerated growth in this core area of intelligent buildings.”

With the goal to “wherever possible, share information and work in a collaborative manner on connected home and intelligent building issues,” the scope of the DLC-CABA Reciprocal Agreement paves the way for mutually beneficial actions such as

  • establishing forums for timely and open exchange of information on current and planned activities
  • establishing non-exclusive vehicles for engaging a broad array of stakeholders, including hardware and software manufacturers, service providers, the utility industry, regulatory organizations, technology companies, vendors, consumer and non-profit groups, and government entities.

Other ways the two parties may work together as a result of the agreement include

  • collaborating in working groups; developing
  • reviewing and commenting on policy and technical materials
  • commenting on each other’s research relevant to the lighting and home and building automation industries

At the DLC’s 2019 Annual Stakeholder Meeting in April, conference attendees learned that the number of smart buildings is projected to grow by 30 to 34% by 2024, with networked lighting controls (NLC) playing an important role in that increase. During a meeting panel discussion, CABA President and CEO Zimmer noted that IoT device shipments in North America are increasing by about 11% annually, and lighting controls comprise one of the largest segments of that growth. Panelists concluded that better awareness and understanding is needed to increase adoption and expand the smart building-enabling benefits of NLCs. This new collaboration between CABA and the DLC is an important step toward that goal.

DLC is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the widespread adoption of high-performing commercial lighting solutions. The DLC promotes high-quality, energy-efficient lighting products in collaboration with utilities and energy efficiency program members, manufacturers, lighting designers, and federal, state, and local entities. Through these partnerships, the DLC establishes product quality specifications, facilitates thought leadership, and provides information, education, tools and technical expertise.

CABA is a leading international, not-for-profit, industry organization that promotes advanced technologies in homes and buildings worldwide. CABA enables organizations and individuals to make informed decisions about the integration of technology, ecosystems and connected lifestyles in homes and buildings. Its mission is to advance the connected home and intelligent buildings sectors.

Photo source: Gerd Altmann on Pixabay

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • 60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    With the widespread use of LED light bulbs, the replacement and upgrade of different light bulbs have also made the concept of “equivalent wattage” more and more discussed. When comparing 60-watt vs 100-watt bulb, the wattage and brightness are the factors that need to be figured out first. Wattage is used to measure the energy consumption while many… Read More…

  • What is Human Centric Lighting: Benefits & Applications

    What is Human Centric Lighting: Benefits & Applications

    Human centric lighting (HCL) is a kind of illuminated way based on human physical and psychological needs. Its core goal is to imitate the changes in natural light to support the body’s circadian rhythm, improve visual comfort, and enhance mood. The key element of human centric lighting contains dynamic ​color temperature adjustment, adjustable brightness, spectrum… Read More…


New Products

  • Zaneen: Vieni Giù – Rain of Light

    Zaneen: Vieni Giù – Rain of Light

    Vieni Giù brings a touch of elegance and modernity to any space with its sleek, thin rods suspended from a cable or ceiling mount, each featuring exquisite chrome plating. These rods illuminate every corner like luminescent rain, thanks to the LED double-pin encapsulated in borosilicate glass. Available in various lengths, Vieni Giù can be tailored to… Read More…

  • LightForm: New Saule-L-01 Suspension Luminaire

    LightForm: New Saule-L-01 Suspension Luminaire

    LightForm is thrilled to introduce Saule, the newest lighting collection from Quebec atelier Larose Guyon, now exclusively available at LightForm. Inspired by the gentle grace of the willow tree, Saule is a sculptural light that feels alive. Cascading hand-formed brass leaves shimmer like foliage in the breeze, suspended from arched metal arms that echo the tree’s elegant… Read More…