China raises efficiency requirements of LED indoor lighting equipment

China issued a revised Minimum Energy Performance Standard for indoor LEDs set to avoid 520 millions tons of CO2 by 2040.

In February 2026, China issued a revised Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) for LED indoor lighting products (GB 30225-2026), which will take effect on September 1, 2027. This updated MEPS raises the minimum energy efficiency requirements by about 10%, with tier 2 requirements for non-directional self-ballasted LED lamps increasing by 20%.

This revised standard also significantly expands product coverage to include small beam angle LED downlights, LED high-bay lamps, retrofit LED double-capped lamps, and indoor LED lighting products with dimming and color-tuning capabilities. At the same time, the standard introduces efficiency adjustments for products featuring high color rendering, anti-glare design, and smart controls, reflecting a dual emphasis on energy savings and lighting quality.

This revised MEPS is projected to cumulatively avoid of 520 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2040.

CLASP contributed to this outcome by sharing international best practices, conducting comprehensive lighting data analysis, and providing evidence-based policy recommendations.