In an effort to create an industry standard, the InterNational Association of Lighting Management Cos. will unveil the first sustainability certification for lighting professionals this fall. The certification, the Certified Sustainable Lighting Consultant (CSLC) will be a seal of approval ensuring that a lighting professional has expertise in creating and maintaining lighting systems that use long-lived, energy-efficient products that minimize impacts on the environment and society.
“The industry is changing at a very rapid pace,” says Jim Frank, NALMCO board president and division manager for Facility Solutions Group. “One of the most pressing issues is sustainability. This new certification addresses that head on.”
The certification will be earned through an exam that tests ten areas of knowledge, touching upon such topics as materials, recycling, transportation, light pollution, manufacturing, and other environmental impacts. Only individuals who are already Certified Lighting Management Consultants, another NALMCO certification, are eligible to take the exam.
While other certifications, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, focus on overall building performance, NALMCO’s certification focuses solely on sustainable lighting systems.
“A lot of time and hard work went into developing this sustainability certification,” says Alison Ryan, NALMCO executive director. “We are excited to be announcing a certification that meets the needs and challenges of our industry.”
