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CAN/CSA C875-13 (R2018): Performance Standard for LED Lamps, Modules, and Luminaires
Technical Requirements for Efficacy, Chromaticity, Lumen Maintenance, and Compliance in Canadian Solid-State Lighting
Introduction
Since its original publication in 2013 and reaffirmation in 2018, CAN/CSA C875-13 (R2018) has served as a cornerstone performance standard for solid-state lighting (SSL) products in Canada. Developed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) in collaboration with industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies, the standard establishes minimum performance criteria and testing protocols for LED lamps, LED modules, and LED luminaires intended for general indoor and outdoor applications. It directly references international advanced practices, including IEC 62612 (self-ballasted LED lamps) and IEC 62717/62722 (LED modules and luminaires), while adapting requirements for the Canadian market, including alignment with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) energy efficiency regulations.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the technical scope, key performance requirements, implementation considerations, and compliance pathways defined in CAN/CSA C875-13 (R2018), equipping lighting designers, manufacturers, specifiers, and testing laboratories with actionable guidance.
Tip: Always verify the latest reaffirmation date and any amendments. The 2018 reaffirmation confirms the standard’s technical content remains current; however, some references (e.g., IES LM-79-08, LM-80-08, TM-21-11) may have been updated. Check the latest versions referenced in the standard.
1. Scope and Field of Application
CAN/CSA C875-13 (2018) specifies performance requirements for the following categories of LED lighting products:
- Self-ballasted LED lamps – lamps intended to replace traditional incandescent, halogen, or compact fluorescent lamps with a standard base (e.g., E26, GU10, MR16).
- LED modules – non-integrated modules requiring an external control gear (driver) for operation, used in recessed, track, and surface-mounted fixtures.
- LED luminaires – complete lighting units incorporating LEDs as the light source, including downlights, troffers, floodlights, and streetlights.
The standard covers products with a rated operating frequency of 50/60 Hz and input voltages up to 347 VAC (typical for Canadian commercial systems) or up to 277 V for luminaires. It also applies to low-voltage DC systems. Excluded from the scope are HID lamps, fluorescent lamps, and LED products designed specifically for certification under other CSA standards (e.g., CSA C22.2 No. 250.0 for luminaire safety).
The performance parameters addressed include:
- Electrical characteristics (input power, power factor, standby power)
- Photometric performance (initial lumens, efficacy, luminous intensity distribution)
- Color performance (correlated color temperature [CCT], color rendering index [CRI], chromaticity tolerance)
- Lumen maintenance and projected life (based on TM-21 and related methods)
- Endurance and environmental stress (on/off cycling, thermal management, humidity resistance)
Key Benefit: Compliance with CAN/CSA C875-13 helps manufacturers demonstrate due diligence for NRCan lamp and luminaire energy efficiency requirements, streamline access to utility rebate programs, and meet the needs of specifiers seeking high-quality LED installations.
2. Core Technical Requirements
2.1 Photometric and Efficacy Requirements
CAN/CSA C875-13 sets minimum initial luminous flux and efficacy (lumens per watt) values that vary by product category. For example, self-ballasted lamps must achieve a bare-lamp efficacy of at least 80 lm/W (dependent on wattage), while luminaires like Category C products (commonly used in commercial indoor downlighting) require minimum system efficacies of 70–90 lm/W depending on the type. The standard classifies products into application Categories A, B, C, and D reflecting typical use: residential, commercial, industrial, and outdoor, respectively.
Testing must be conducted in accordance with IES LM-79-08 (Approved Method for Electrical and Photometric Measurement of SSL Products) at an ambient temperature of 25 °C ± 1 °C, with a stabilization period sufficient to reach thermal equilibrium.
| Parameter | Requirement (Typical for Category C – Commercial Indoor) | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Efficacy (lm/W) | ≥ 85 lm/W (nominal for 2000–4000 lumen class) | IES LM-79-08 |
| Minimum Initial Flux (lumens) | ≥ 90% of rated flux at 0 h | IES LM-79-08 |
| Power Factor (residential/commercial) | ≥ 0.90 (for lamps > 5 W); ≥ 0.70 (for lamps ≤ 5 W) | IEC 62301 / LM-79 |
| Standby Power (if applicable) | ≤ 0.5 W (when product has standby mode) | IEC 62301 / CSA C22.2 No. 250.13 |
Table 1: Summary of photometric and electrical requirements under CAN/CSA C875-13 for Category C commercial indoor applications. Values are representative; consult standard for exact limits and allowances.
2.2 Color Performance and Chromaticity
The standard requires that correlated color temperature (CCT) be within specified tolerance based on the 7-step MacAdam ellipse (7-step SDCM) for typical products. However, many rebate programs and premium categories demand tighter control (4-step SDCM). The standard also mandates a minimum Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 80 for most general lighting applications, with a trend to higher values (90+) for high-end installations. R9 (saturated red) value is recommended to be > 0 but not explicitly required.
Color maintenance over life: CAN/CSA C875-13 endorses the use of IES TM-30-18 or simple Duv tracking to ensure color shift does not exceed 0.007 Duv over the rated life of the product.
2.3 Lumen Maintenance and Life
CAN/CSA C875-13 projects LED lifetime using IES-approved methods: LM-80 for LED package/array testing, TM-21 for projection of lumen maintenance. The standard sets minimum lumen maintenance requirements of L70 (lumen output remaining 70%) for most basic applications, and L80 or L90 for specific commercial and institutional projects where longer functional life is required.
For a product to claim a rated life of 25,000 hours or 50,000 hours, the TM-21 projection must demonstrate that lumen output at the end of life (with 90% lower confidence bound) remains above 70% of initial lumens. Additionally, accelerated indoor temperature testing at 55 °C ± 5 °C is required for ambient-rated products.
Caution: Lumen maintenance projections based solely on LM-80 data for LED packages do not account for driver, thermal management, or optical degradation. CAN/CSA C875-13 considers the entire luminaire or lamp as a system; therefore, full product LM-79 testing after thermal stabilization is mandatory for certification.
3. Implementation Highlights for Design and Testing
Manufacturers implementing CAN/CSA C875-13 should consider the following critical aspects:
- Subsystem qualification: Ensure that LED packages and arrays used have LM-80 test reports from an ILAC-accredited laboratory with data for at least 6,000 hours (10,000 recommended). The reported TM-21 lifetime should match or exceed the intended product life.
- Thermal design: Heatsink and airflow design must maintain junction temperature at or below the rated maximum for all operating modes. Thermal measurements using thermocouples on the Tc point (reference temperature) of the LED module are required.
- Driver endurance: The external or integrated driver must withstand 2,000 hours of on/off cycling at elevated temperature per Annex D of CAN/CSA C875-13, or equivalent endurance test from IEC 61347-2-13.
- Pre-production sample selection: For qualification, three representative production samples are tested per model. Performance must be within specified tolerance bands (e.g., ± 5% flux, ± 5% power consumption).
The standard also includes an informative annex on photometric data maintenance for luminaires used in certified designs (luminaire LM-79 report): measurements after 1,000 hours of aging to stabilize initial photometric shift.
Practical Tip: Design to meet CAN/CSA C875-13 Category C requirements with a 10% margin to account for manufacturing tolerances and measurement uncertainties. Use LM-80 data from the LED supplier that includes at least two case temperatures to enable a robust TM-21 projection.
4. Compliance, Marking, and Verification
CAN/CSA C875-13 (2018) is not a mandatory safety standard but is widely referenced by Canadian regulators and energy efficiency programs. Compliance can be demonstrated through:
- Self-declaration: Manufacturer testing performed at a laboratory meeting ISO 17025 criteria for the relevant test methods (LM-79, LM-80, etc.). A technical dossier including test reports, product datasheets, and TM-21 projections must be maintained.
- Third-party certification: Many energy efficiency programs require NRCan verification, which itself often uses CAN/CSA C875-13 performance criteria. Certification bodies such as CSA Group, UL, or Intertek can certify compliance as part of a broader product safety and performance certification program.
- Market surveillance: In Canada, NRCan and Measurement Canada may conduct random audits for energy efficiency compliance. Products exceeding a certain percentage deviation from claimed values may be subject to removal from the market.
Marking requirements per the standard: product must be permanently marked with rated wattage, frequency, voltage, CCT, CRI, lumen output, and rated lumen maintenance life (e.g., L70 at 50,000 hours). The marking must be legible from the installed position.
Risk of Non-Compliance: Failure to meet the minimum performance criteria of CAN/CSA C875-13 may affect eligibility for utility rebates in provinces like Ontario (Save on Energy), British Columbia (BC Hydro Custom Lighting), and Quebec (Hydro-Québec). Incorrect labeling could also result in penalties under the Energy Efficiency Act.
Conclusion
CAN/CSA C875-13 (R2018) remains a foundational performance standard for LED lighting in Canada, providing clear criteria for efficacy, color quality, and longevity. Its adaptation of international IEC and IES methods, integrated with Canadian regulatory context, ensures that LED products deliver consistent, reliable performance for a range of applications. Designers, manufacturers, and specifiers should maintain up-to-date familiarity with the standard and its referenced testing methods to ensure compliance and market access.
As LED technology continues to improve, expected revisions to the standard (anticipated next reaffirmation or update) may tighten energy thresholds, include color quality metrics like TM-30, and adopt new lifetime prediction methodologies. Staying engaged with CSA’s technical committee SH-LED and reviewing the standard every five years is essential for proactive compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is CAN/CSA C875-13 (2018) mandatory for LED products sold in Canada?
A: The standard itself is voluntary; however, it is directly referenced by NRCan’s energy efficiency regulations for some categories of lamps and luminaires. In practice, most retailers, utility incentive programs, and building code references effectively make it a requirement for market entry. Manufacturers should confirm obligations with their specific product category and provincial jurisdictions.
A: The standard itself is voluntary; however, it is directly referenced by NRCan’s energy efficiency regulations for some categories of lamps and luminaires. In practice, most retailers, utility incentive programs, and building code references effectively make it a requirement for market entry. Manufacturers should confirm obligations with their specific product category and provincial jurisdictions.
Q: What is the difference between Category A, B, C, and D in CAN/CSA C875?
A: These categories reflect intended application and typical operating environment. Category A covers residential lamps (often with lower efficacy targets), B is for general commercial luminaires, C applies to high-performance commercial indoor luminaires (e.g., downlights, troffers) with stricter requirements, and D covers outdoor/industrial fixtures. Each specifies differing initial efficacy and lumen maintenance thresholds.
A: These categories reflect intended application and typical operating environment. Category A covers residential lamps (often with lower efficacy targets), B is for general commercial luminaires, C applies to high-performance commercial indoor luminaires (e.g., downlights, troffers) with stricter requirements, and D covers outdoor/industrial fixtures. Each specifies differing initial efficacy and lumen maintenance thresholds.
Q: How does CAN/CSA C875-13 relate to IEC 62612 or IEC 62717?
A: CAN/CSA C875-13 is largely harmonized with these IEC standards for LED lamp and luminaire performance. However, CAN/CSA C875-13 includes additional Canadian-specific provisions, such as 347 VAC operation requirements, alignment with LM-79/LM-80/TM-21 (rather than unspecified test methods), and marking requirements that follow Canadian Electrical Code and NRCan guidelines.
A: CAN/CSA C875-13 is largely harmonized with these IEC standards for LED lamp and luminaire performance. However, CAN/CSA C875-13 includes additional Canadian-specific provisions, such as 347 VAC operation requirements, alignment with LM-79/LM-80/TM-21 (rather than unspecified test methods), and marking requirements that follow Canadian Electrical Code and NRCan guidelines.
Q: Does compliance with CAN/CSA C875-13 guarantee NRCan qualification?
A: Not automatically. While CAN/CSA C875-13 provides the performance evidence required for NRCan compliance (e.g., efficacy and lumen maintenance data), the product must also meet NRCan-specific energy efficiency standards (often referencing CAN/CSA C875-13 by reference) and register with NRCan. However, having CAN/CSA C875-13 test reports substantially streamlines the NRCan process.
A: Not automatically. While CAN/CSA C875-13 provides the performance evidence required for NRCan compliance (e.g., efficacy and lumen maintenance data), the product must also meet NRCan-specific energy efficiency standards (often referencing CAN/CSA C875-13 by reference) and register with NRCan. However, having CAN/CSA C875-13 test reports substantially streamlines the NRCan process.
This article is intended as an educational resource. For official compliance guidance, refer to the current edition of CAN/CSA C875-13 and applicable regulations.
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