August 2026 Lighting Industry News Roundup
In August, policy support anchored the direction of transformation, while standards and quality oversight advanced in tandem to ensure industry-wide improvements. Industrial development and regional initiatives resonated in harmony, as companies leveraged capital strategies and technological breakthroughs to seize new opportunities.
I. Multiple Policies Empower Industry Growth
(1) Two Departments Jointly Issue the “15th Five-Year Plan” Work Plan for Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction in Public Institutions
The State Administration of Government Affairs and the National Development and Reform Commission jointly issued the “15th Five-Year Plan” Work Plan for Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction in Public Institutions (Guo Guan Jie Neng [2026] No. 161). The plan lays out measures across multiple fronts, including achieving peak carbon emissions in public institutions, promoting efficient resource utilization, and accelerating the adoption of green production and lifestyle practices. It sets targets: based on 2025 levels of carbon emissions and energy consumption, by 2030, carbon emissions per unit area of public buildings will decrease by 8.5%, energy consumption per unit area will drop by 5%, and per capita water usage will fall by 3%. The plan emphasizes intensifying energy-saving and carbon-reduction upgrades, continuously retrofitting existing public building envelopes, heating, air-conditioning, lighting, elevators, power distribution systems, and computing facilities, encouraging the installation of energy management systems, and strengthening operational management of key energy-consuming equipment.
Further Reading:How Public Institutions Will Achieve Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction in Lighting Over the Next Five Years
(2) Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Ministry of Emergency Management Jointly Release the “15th Five-Year Plan” for the Development of Safety and Emergency Equipment
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Emergency Management jointly released the “15th Five-Year Plan” for the Development of Safety and Emergency Equipment (MIIT Lian Gui [2026] No. 186). The plan explicitly supports the widespread deployment of drone-based relay lighting systems, enabling lighting drones to play a greater role in emergency search-and-rescue operations under extreme conditions such as geological disasters. Additionally, it promotes the integration of emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence, embodied intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, satellite remote sensing, new materials, and new energy sources—with safety and emergency equipment, driving industrial innovation and upgrading.
(3) Guidance Catalogue for Building Carbon Emission Measurement Capabilities Has Been Published
The State Administration for Market Regulation, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment jointly issued the 2026 edition of the “Guidance Catalogue for Building Carbon Emission Measurement Capabilities.” This updated catalogue systematically optimizes the national carbon emission measurement framework, with key changes including expanded applicability of technologies and refined standards. The catalogue aims to provide a unified technical basis for calculating and verifying carbon emission data, enhancing accuracy, consistency, and traceability, thereby further supporting the implementation of China’s dual-carbon goals.
II. Standards and Quality Become Industry Priorities
(1) Industry Conferences Boost Awareness of Standards and Quality
From August 5 to 7, the Second China Lighting Appliance Industry Standards and Quality Conference, hosted by the China Lighting Appliance Association, convened in Lanzhou, Gansu Province. With the theme “Standards Lay Foundations, Innovation Drives Progress, Quality Empowers Growth,” the conference addressed the overarching challenges of the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, positioning standards and quality as twin engines propelling the industry through cyclical transitions and guiding its leap toward higher-quality development. Discussions covered the latest domestic standards, certification systems, quality oversight and evaluation, current industry trends and standard updates, as well as international standards and overseas market compliance. Side events included experience-sharing sessions among leading enterprises and concurrent technical workshops and review meetings on national standards.
Further Reading:The Second China Lighting Appliance Industry Standards and Quality Conference Held in Lanzhou
(2) Stringent Oversight Makes 3C Certification a Central Focus Again
In August, the Certification Supervision Department of the State Administration for Market Regulation released data from its 2025 random inspections of CCC certification validity. Among 2,483 batches inspected across 39 product categories, 764 certificates were revoked, and non-compliant products faced severe penalties, including a six-month suspension of sales registration. Among the 303 items listed as seriously non-compliant (“red-light” cases), lighting products accounted for 29 entries, ranking first and sounding an alarm for related businesses regarding compliance system-building.
The lighting industry and associated industrial clusters have responded enthusiastically to government initiatives aimed at improving quality and curbing cutthroat competition. Through a three-tiered collaborative model—government coordination, association support, and enterprise implementation—they are working together to uphold quality standards. Since August, the leadership team of Guzhen Town has conducted targeted inspections in major retail outlets, emphasizing both source-control and strict enforcement, while holding task-force meetings to reinforce accountability among all stakeholders and promote legal awareness to instill a quality-first mindset. Meanwhile, the Zhongshan City Lighting Appliance Industry Association spearheaded the establishment of the Guzhen Lighting and Decorative Products Quality Service Center, integrating testing, certification, and standardization into a comprehensive service chain, and organizing numerous specialized 3C certification training sessions that have reached over a thousand participants. Enterprises and merchants alike have significantly heightened their sense of responsibility; leading firms proactively share certification guidelines, while retailers actively participate in training and conduct thorough self-inspections, consciously rejecting “three-no” products.
(3) Significant Progress Made on Several Lighting Standards
In August, the China Lighting Appliance Association released two group standards: “Classification of Low-Voltage Mercury Lamps Under Domestic and International Mercury-Related Policies and Regulations” (T/CALI 0101-2026) and “LED Luminaires Simulating Sky Light” (T/CALI 0403-2026). In addition, three national standards—the “Lighting Appliance Sunlight Spectrum Evaluation Specifications,” the “General Classroom Lighting Design Requirements for Primary and Secondary Schools,” and the “Hospital Building Lighting Guidelines”—have passed technical committee reviews and are poised for approval soon. The industry is also conducting extensive surveys regarding the implementation of mandatory standards.
Further Reading:Intensive Revision of Multiple National Lighting Standards Underway | Critical Issues Surrounding Mandatory National Lighting Standards
III. Industry Development and Regional Activities
(1) Downward Pressure on Industry Growth Remains Strong
The China Lighting Appliance Association published an analysis of the industry’s economic performance for the first six months of the year. Overall, the pace of economic activity slowed compared to the same period last year, contrasting sharply with the robust performance of the broader industrial sector. According to estimates, in the first half of 2026, the cumulative growth rate of industrial value added among large-scale lighting enterprises fell short of the previous year’s level, lagging behind the national average for large-scale industries. Month-by-month, although the decline in industrial value-added growth persisted, the rate of deceleration continued to narrow, indicating that while overall production activity has slowed, corporate enthusiasm for production is gradually rebounding. Large-scale enterprises reported year-on-year revenue growth below the national industrial average, with some listed companies experiencing declines of 1%–10%; meanwhile, profit margins for these enterprises remained lower than the previous year, and losses increased.
Further Reading:A Brief Analysis of the Lighting Industry’s Economic Performance in the First Half of 2026
(2) July Exports Show Signs of Recovery, Yet Overall Pressure Persists
Customs data reveal that, in the first seven months of 2026, China’s lighting exports exhibited regional disparities. Among the top ten markets, total exports amounted to approximately US$13.3 billion, down 8% year-on-year, with the share falling to 46%. U.S. exports totaled about US$5.3 billion, declining by 13% and losing 1.5 percentage points; European exports stood at roughly US$7.7 billion, essentially unchanged, with the share rising to 27%, though lighting exports decreased by around 4%. Among emerging markets, Africa performed strongly, with exports reaching US$2.2 billion, up 7% year-on-year, and the share increasing to 8%, with Nigeria and South Africa maintaining growth rates above 4%. Overall, traditional markets remain sluggish while emerging markets heat up, resulting in ongoing adjustments to the export landscape.
Further Reading:Brief Report | Lighting Industry Exports Reached US$28.7 Billion in January–July This Year
(3) Jiangsu Provincial Lighting Appliance Association Annual Meeting Held in Nanjing
On August 28, the 2026 Jiangsu Provincial Lighting Appliance Association Annual Meeting convened in Nanjing. Wang Xuhua, Vice Chairman of the China Lighting Appliance Association, attended and delivered remarks, commending Jiangsu’s achievements in standard-setting, digital transformation, and international exchanges, as well as the province’s lighting industry for sustaining an output value of approximately RMB 140 billion thanks to its complete industrial chain and pioneering “Jiangsu Model” in smart streetlight integration and green renovations. He also called for accelerating the cultivation of new productive forces, strengthening standards and quality, balancing internal and external circulation, and strictly adhering to compliance requirements, urging the industry to transition toward quality- and brand-driven competition. Furthermore, he pledged that the China Lighting Appliance Association would continue partnering with Jiangsu to build service platforms and jointly promote high-quality industry development.
Further Reading:China Lighting Appliance Association Leaders Attend the 2026 Jiangsu Provincial Lighting Appliance Association Annual Meeting
(4) Gaoyou Municipal Political Consultative Conference Holds Symposium on Smart Lighting Industry
The Gaoyou Municipal Political Consultative Conference convened a symposium on the smart lighting industry. The Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology presented an overview of the city’s smart lighting development, while the Municipal Data Bureau delivered a special lecture on turning smart lighting industry data into valuable assets. Twenty leaders of smart lighting enterprises shared insights into the difficulties and challenges they face in production and operations. Participants also visited Longteng Intelligent Lighting Factory. Li Shenhong, Chairman of the Municipal Political Consultative Conference, urged attendees to maintain confidence, break free from constraints, proactively expand overseas, grow collectively, and attract investment with precision. Vice Mayor Wang Handong stated that the municipal government would support enterprises in becoming champions within niche segments, lead change through digital empowerment, and explore global markets.
(5) August Lighting Purchasing Season Ignites Consumer Vitality Across Guzhen Town
In August, Guzhen launched its annual Lighting Purchasing Season, with strong demand for lighting and decorative products driving a surge in ancillary services such as transportation, hotel accommodations, business banquets, and logistics. The scene vividly illustrates the phenomenon of “booming core business, thriving ancillary sectors.” Major retail outlets introduced new products en masse, showcasing smart lighting and minimalist lamp designs, while buyers placed orders in stores, checked into hotels, and engaged in business networking at restaurants, forming a closed-loop chain of “exhibition–accommodation–dining–transportation.” This transformed the order flow from the lighting and decoration sector into a significant boost to overall local consumption, fully demonstrating the vigorous vitality of Guzhen’s thriving lighting industry and bustling commerce.
(6) The 17th Asian Lighting Conference Held in Nagoya, Japan
The 17th Asian Lighting Conference took place in Nagoya, Japan, from August 20 to 21. Over two days, experts and representatives from China, Japan, South Korea, and other countries discussed topics such as smart lighting, digital illumination, and light pollution. More than 130 scholars and business leaders participated, delivering keynote speeches and invited presentations on cutting-edge issues like the evolution and future trends of lighting technology, the integration of urban night economies with light art, the impact of melanopsin on brightness perception, and the emotional responses triggered by automotive ambient lighting. During the session on “Next-Generation Lighting Technologies,” speakers exchanged views on white-light color resolution, expanding boundaries between lighting design and environmental studies, and analyzing optical characteristics of intelligent farm plant lighting based on dimming combinations. Meanwhile, in the “Urban Lighting” panel, discussions delved into the rise of daytime light pollution, HDR imaging-based methods for detecting light pollution, and designing urban lighting systems for post-disaster evacuation.
IV. Corporate Updates
(1) Lighting Companies Release First-Half 2026 Financial Reports
Lighting companies have unveiled their financial results for the first half of 2026, with upstream segments emerging as clear winners. Based on disclosed earnings data, chip manufacturers, driver IC producers, key material suppliers, and passive component makers—all positioned upstream in the supply chain—have demonstrated particularly strong performance, with robust profit growth. For instance, Fuman Micro (300671) reported a year-on-year surge of 353.41% in net profit attributable to shareholders, topping the list; Fenghua High-Tech (000636) posted a 74.01% increase in net profit, showcasing solid profitability; Jucan Optoelectronics (300708) recorded a 35.6% rise in net profit; San’an Optoelectronics (600703) saw a 22.5% increase; and Aiwa Group (603989) reported a 17.21% jump. Many enterprises achieved steady double-digit growth. This collective stellar performance at the upstream end reflects not only the sustained recovery of downstream application market demand but also confirms that, amid the redistribution of value along the supply chain, upstream firms equipped with core technological barriers and scale advantages are benefiting first from the industry’s recovery cycle, presenting an overall positive outlook.
(2) Several Lighting Companies Undertake M&A and Integration Initiatives
In August, lighting enterprises ramped up activities in capital operations, technological innovation, and market expansion. Numerous listed LED lighting companies disclosed acquisition plans and progress, with many venturing into cross-industry deals spanning solid-state storage, power semiconductors, new energy storage, and precision manufacturing.
Specifically, Debang Lighting acquired a 67.48% stake in Zhejiang Jiali Industrial Co., Ltd. (Lishui) through cash purchases of existing shares and subscriptions for newly issued ones, marking a deep penetration into the automotive optoelectronics arena and officially opening a second growth curve. Meanwhile, Jiali’s board of directors completed a mid-August reshuffle, welcoming executives from Debang Lighting into its core management team.
Mingjia Hui announced on August 6 its intention to acquire up to 26.19% of shares in the nationally recognized “Little Giant” enterprise Zhiyu Technology Co., Ltd. through a cash payment of approximately RMB 263 million, thus entering the industrial-grade solid-state storage sector. In addition, Mulinsen, having completed control over Prui Optoelectronics earlier this year, continues to deepen vertical integration across the entire LED supply chain, leveraging synergies throughout the “chip–packaging–application” chain to further strengthen its core competitiveness. Prui Optoelectronics, for its part, explicitly stated that it would focus on emerging areas such as third-generation semiconductor power devices, accelerating the creation of a second growth curve. Tostada, meanwhile, announced on August 24 its plan to secure a 49% stake in Lai Le Optoelectronics through a RMB 147 million investment, further expanding its footprint in the optoelectronics field. Overall, lighting companies are advancing industrial transformation through a combination of horizontal cross-industry moves and vertical extensions along the capital path.
(3) Several LED Power Supply Companies Announce Price Hikes
In August 2026, price hike notices flooded the LED industry, affecting every link in the supply chain—from chips and packaging to driver power supplies, PCBs, displays, and finished luminaires. Leyard announced a moderate price increase effective September 10 across all product lines, citing steadily rising costs for core components. Notably, however, Leyard recently had its military procurement eligibility suspended by the army’s procurement network due to allegations of bid-rigging—a second such penalty this year.
Aike Shares raised prices on LED landscape lighting fixtures and street lamps starting September 1, with increases ranging from 10% to 30%, primarily driven by soaring aluminum, copper, and core electronic component costs. Likewise, Laifude Power Supply simultaneously increased prices across its full range of LED lighting driver products by 10% to 18%, attributing the hikes to doubled prices for basic components such as PCB boards, IC chips, and surface-mount resistors and capacitors, compounded by rising metal raw material costs and extended delivery cycles, pushing expenses beyond what companies can bear. This wave of price hikes, transmitted from upstream raw materials to the entire supply chain, underscores the severe cost pressures facing the lighting industry.
(4) Rayshine Lighting Signs New Strategic Cooperation Agreement
Rayshine Lighting, a leading domestic brand in the lighting sector, formally signed a strategic cooperation agreement with StarNet Tianhe, a globally renowned provider of ICT+AIoT smart space solutions. Together, they will focus on two major pillars—smart homes and smart commercial spaces—integrating healthy, high-quality lighting with AI and IoT capabilities to propel smart spaces from point-to-point device interconnections toward integrated delivery, shifting from “connecting spaces” to “understanding people,” and crafting proactive smart living experiences. This collaboration also represents a continuation of Rayshine Lighting’s Healthy Light Source Sharing Initiative within the smart space domain, with StarNet Tianhe providing family-level cognitive, perceptual, and connectivity platform solutions, while Rayshine Lighting contributes foundational technology for healthy, high-quality lighting. By complementing each other’s strengths and centering on human experience, the partnership breaks down barriers between devices, systems, and scenarios, ensuring customers receive not fragmented individual products, but rather an integrated smart space capability replicable, combinable, and extensible across different environments. Light itself ceases to be merely a passive switch operator, instead becoming an essential medium for understanding, responding to, and caring for people within a space.
(5) Signify Partners with Sports Investment Platform NXTPLAY for Strategic Cross-Industry Integration
Signify has entered into a strategic partnership with NXTPLAY Capital, becoming its official lighting innovation partner. The collaboration covers venue smart upgrades, leveraging Philips Hue products to synchronize lighting with live sports broadcasts for home viewing experiences, and using smart lighting to support athlete performance and recovery across multiple dimensions. In addition, ams OSRAM has signed a trademark licensing agreement with USHIO Industry & Entertainment, allowing select professional lighting and entertainment products to continue bearing the OSRAM brand in the market, ensuring business continuity and customer support.
(6) ams OSRAM Strengthens Intellectual Property Rights Protection Measures
ams OSRAM has further reinforced its intellectual property rights protection efforts, filing two patent infringement lawsuits in Germany against an electronics component distributor selling automotive LED products manufactured by Shenzhen Ruifeng Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. ams OSRAM contends that certain automotive LED products derived from Ruifeng’s ceramic packaging series and EMC encapsulation series infringe upon multiple patented technologies owned by the company. The six patents involved cover critical innovations enabling high efficiency, reliability, and compact light sources required for automotive applications, while delivering high brightness and premium-quality light output.
(7) Retech Receives Patent Certificate
Retech received a European patent certificate from the European Patent and Trademark Office on August 14, titled “Smart Luminaires and Their Signal Adaptive Recognition Method, Computer-Readable Storage Medium.” This patented technology effectively enhances smart luminaires’ ability to automatically recognize and adapt to various communication protocol signals, simplifies installation and debugging processes, and boosts system compatibility and stability—marking a significant achievement in Retech’s ongoing pursuit of excellence in intelligent control. Securing this European patent authorization not only highlights the company’s R&D prowess in fundamental smart lighting technologies but also builds a robust intellectual property protection barrier, helping consolidate its competitive edge in smart power supplies and control systems.
(8) New Developments in Peru’s International Market Regulations
Peru has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft technical regulation establishing minimum energy efficiency standards for lighting products, covering LEDs, fluorescent lamps, and other major categories. The aim is to set energy efficiency thresholds to reduce carbon emissions. Currently undergoing review, the regulation is expected to take effect 12 months after its official publication.
The above article was sourced from the China Lighting Appliance Association, authored by the CLAA.