UK-based lighting industry associations vote to merge

Members of the UK’s Lighting Industry Federation and Lighting Association have agreed to merge the two organizations.

Following a period of consultation with their members, both the Lighting Association (LA) and the Lighting Industry Federation (LIF) held Extraordinary General Meetings in late September, where members voted to proceed with the merger of the two organizations.

It is expected that the new organization, to be known as The Lighting Industry Association, will be incorporated early in 2012.

Rune Marki, LIF president, said: “LIF members believe that the merging of operations of LIF and LA into one new expanded Association will be beneficial to the members and the market generally, both in terms of better representation of the industry and the provision of services to members, during a period of rapid technological change for the industry.”
Jonathan Lucas, LA president, said: “A great deal of work has gone into the proposal to merge during the course of this year and I am delighted that the members have voted in favor. A single stronger Association will better equip the whole industry for the challenges that we are facing in a rapidly changing business environment.”

The Lighting Industry Federation (LIF)
The LIF’s current form was established in 1969 but its origins go back to 1905. LIF’s primary purpose is to promote and develop the UK lighting market for the long-term benefit of its members and other stakeholders and to represent the voice of the Industry in discussions with Government, NGO’s, the EU Commission and standardization bodies on issues of relevant legislation and standardization.

LIF provides technical and commercial support services to its members and organizes discussion groups on industry issues, which ensure the views of Members are heard and influence the development of the LIF industry positions. LIF is also a major provider of recognized and respected lighting training courses for professionals in the lighting industry.

LIF works closely with all other industry and professional bodies in the Lighting and related industries and is based in central London, close to the offices of all relevant Government Departments.

The Lighting Association (LA)
Founded in 1939, the membership totals around 190 companies with 40% from the decorative sector and the remaining membership made up from commercial luminaires, lamps and components and increasingly LED-related businesses.
The LA carries out a wide variety of functions on behalf of its members including training; technical representation at international and UK levels; lobbying and liaison with Government departments in the UK and via its involvement with CELMA, the Brussels-based Association of European Associations on standards and legislation.

The LA Code of Practice which is a condition of membership for companies not registered to ISO 9000, is a comprehensive and widely respected tool to enable members to support their claim to CE mark their product and includes an annual review of QC systems, test procedures and documentation.

The LA owns the Lighting Association Laboratory, a fully accredited test laboratory dedicated entirely to the testing of light sources and luminaires for which members enjoy beneficial rates. The LA is based at its purpose built offices in Telford with a staff of approximately 20 including the Laboratory.