Recolight Unveils Certification for Pre-Owned Luminaires to Drive Confidence in Circular Lighting

New initiative set to accelerate reuse in the UK lighting industry and support carbon reduction goals

Recolight has introduced its Used Luminaire Certification service, a pioneering step to promote the reuse of lighting products. With sustainability and embodied carbon now central to project specifications, this certification provides assurance for developers, engineers, and lighting designers looking to incorporate second-life luminaires into their plans.

“Far too many projects create unnecessary waste by replacing relatively new lighting with brand-new fittings,” explains Recolight CEO Nigel Harvey. “Reuse is the simplest way to prevent this, extend product lifespans, and cut embodied carbon.”

Developed in collaboration with Simon Fisher, the certification includes an independent report assessing the likely remaining burn hours and expected lifetime of the luminaire, along with an estimate of the embodied carbon savings achieved through reuse. This impartial evaluation helps eliminate uncertainty around product durability and environmental impact.

The certificate does not replace a warranty or CE marking, which may be provided by a qualified contractor responsible for any required refurbishment—either the original manufacturer or a specialist remanufacturer.

This initiative reflects growing interest from building owners and specifiers keen to embed circular economy principles into their projects. With around 40% of global carbon emissions linked to the built environment, reducing embodied carbon in lighting is a critical challenge.

By removing barriers to reuse, the scheme aims to give project teams greater confidence and help them meet sustainability targets. It also provides valuable documentation to demonstrate compliance with corporate or public sector carbon reduction commitments.

“We’re seeing strong demand across the industry to make better use of existing resources,” adds Harvey. “This certification offers a practical solution to scale reuse and make second-life lighting a mainstream choice.”

Simon Fisher comments: “This program provides reassurance about the remaining life of pre-owned luminaires and confirms they can deliver reliable service in new installations.”

Recolight will pilot the certification on several major projects in the coming months, with plans to roll out the service more widely across the UK lighting market.