What are the environmental requirements for lighting in industrial environments in 2026?

In industrial environments, clear environmental requirements apply to lighting in 2026: luminaires must be resistant to the specific environmental factors of the location, such as moisture, dust, temperature extremes, corrosion, or the risk of explosion. The exact requirements that apply depend on the sector, the location, and the nature of the work. This article answers the most frequently asked questions about standards, IP classes, ATEX zones, temperature requirements, and more.

Which standards and certifications are mandatory for industrial lighting?

In the Netherlands, there are no universal legal standards for industrial lighting that are identical for every situation. What is mandatory varies depending on the environment and application. The basis is formed by the CE marking, which indicates that a luminaire complies with the European safety requirements for electrical products. In addition, sector-specific certifications play a major role.

In practice, these are the certifications that are most frequently requested or required:

CE Marking mandatory for all electrical luminaires that are placed on the European market
ATEX certification required for lighting in hazardous areas (see also the section below)
IP rating Indicates the extent to which a luminaire is protected against dust and moisture, essential for almost all industrial environments
IK rating: measures the impact resistance of a luminaire, relevant for vibrations, heavy machinery or outdoor locations
ISO9001 certification of the supplier: not a product standard, but a quality guarantee for the production process
VCA certification: relevant when lighting is installed in hazardous work environments

In addition to these certifications, internal safety standards from companies and industry guidelines also play a role. In sectors such as petrochemicals, offshore, or the food industry, additional requirements are often standard part of the purchasing policy.

What do IP classes mean for lighting in harsh environments?

An IP class (Ingress Protection) indicates how well a luminaire is protected against the ingress of solid particles such as dust and liquids such as water. The code consists of two digits: the first digit indicates dust protection (scale 0 to 6), the second digit indicates water protection (scale 0 to 8 or 9K). The higher the number, the better the protection.

In industrial environments, an IP rating of at least IP65 is in most cases the starting point. IP65 means that the luminaire is completely dustproof and resistant to water jets from all directions. Higher requirements apply for environments with high-pressure sprayers, immersion, or aggressive cleaning methods, such as IP67, IP68 or IP69K.

Want to know more about how IP and IK ratings work exactly and which class is right for your situation? On the page about IP and IK ratings You will find a clear overview.

A common mistake is selecting a luminaire based solely on the IP rating, without considering the IK rating. In environments with vibrations, forklifts or heavy machinery, mechanical impact resistance is at least as important as moisture protection.

What environmental requirements apply to lighting in ATEX zones?

In spaces where explosive atmospheres can form, ATEX-certified luminaires are legally required. This applies to locations where flammable gases, vapors, mist, or dust clouds may be present, such as tank storage areas, chemical plants, paint shops, or certain mining environments. ATEX lighting is designed to not form a source of ignition, even in the event of a failure.

The ATEX directive (2014/34/EU) divides explosive atmospheres into zones. For gases, zones 0, 1 and 2 apply; for dust, zones 20, 21 and 22. The lower the zone number, the greater the risk and the stricter the requirements for the lighting. Each ATEX luminaire bears a marking indicating for which zones it is suitable.

When selecting ATEX lighting, the following factors are decisive:

Determine the correct zone layout based on an official risk analysis (ATEX zoning)
Choose a luminaire with the appropriate ATEX category and protection method
Check that the luminaire also meets the additional IP and temperature requirements for that zone.
Ensure installation by certified technicians with knowledge of ATEX regulations
Document all the choices in the explosive safety document (EVD) of the location

ATEX lighting is a specialized segment where errors can lead to significant safety risks. Always validate the zoning and fixture selection with a qualified expert.

How do extreme temperatures affect the requirements for industrial luminaires?

Standard LED fixtures are generally designed for ambient temperatures between roughly -20°C and +40°C. Outside this range, components can fail, light output can decrease, or the lifespan can be drastically shortened. In industrial environments with extreme heat or cold, fixtures are needed that are specifically designed for those conditions.

At high temperatures, such as in steel mills, foundries or near furnaces, infrared radiation plays an additional role. Ordinary fixtures absorb that radiation and overheat. Fixtures designed for temperatures up to +120°C use special materials, thermally insulated constructions and adapted drivers to remain stable in operation. You can read more about the specific challenges and solutions at high temperatures on the page about High-temperature lighting.

In cold environments, similar challenges apply. In climate chambers, freezer rooms or Arctic outdoor locations, temperatures can drop to -45°C. At such temperatures, standard electronic components become sluggish or unreliable. Fixtures for these environments have special drivers, rubber seals that remain flexible in freezing temperatures, and are tested for cold start.

What corrosion requirements apply to lighting in chemical or marine environments?

Corrosion is one of the most underestimated risk factors when selecting industrial lighting. In ports, on offshore platforms, in chemical plants or at coastal locations, salt, moisture and aggressive chemicals attack ordinary aluminum or steel luminaires. The result: premature failure, high maintenance costs and safety risks.

For environments with extreme corrosion loads, stainless steel (SS) luminaires or specially coated materials are the standard. SS luminaires offer resistance to salty seawater, aggressive cleaning agents, and chemical fumes. Additionally, high-quality seals and corrosion-resistant cable entries are essential to ensure protection in the long term.

In maritime and chemical environments, these are the most relevant corrosion requirements:

Enclosure made of stainless steel (316L or higher) or glass fiber-reinforced polyester
Corrosion-resistant coatings that meet relevant exposure classes
UV-resistant materials for outdoor applications
Seals that are resistant to chemical fumes and salty air
Combination with a high IP rating for optimal protection

What will change in 2026 regarding the lighting requirements for industrial environments?

In 2026, the European shift towards stricter energy efficiency standards for lighting products will continue. The Ecodesign regulation for light sources and luminaires sets increasingly higher minimum energy performance requirements, meaning less efficient products will disappear from the market. This is relevant for industrial buyers when undertaking replacement projects: check whether existing luminaires still meet the applicable requirements.

In addition, there is growing attention to light pollution and darkness protection. Full-cutoff technology, where the light is directed exclusively downwards without upward scattering emissions, is being demanded in more and more municipalities and for large outdoor projects. This is not only ecologically relevant, but also improves safety on sites by preventing glare.

Furthermore, the pressure on documentation and traceability is increasing. Clients and regulators are increasingly demanding demonstrable compliance, including test reports, product declarations, and maintenance logs. Those who now invest in well-documented lighting solutions avoid problems during future audits or certification processes.

Practical example: Tata Steel IJmuiden

Tata Steel IJmuiden wanted to make the lighting near the production process more sustainable. Near the hot steel, temperatures reach up to +120 °C, infrared radiation from the steel and an aggressive air composition combine to damage materials. Barracuda HT and HT JEL provided the lighting design and engineering, designed the installation and supplied it Snapper HT, HT and Orca HT were selected per location based on what the situation required. The lighting design was tested to EN 12464-1 and achieves 100 lux near the work environment, with uniformity of up to 0.55.

A standard industrial luminaire cannot be considered sufficient for this purpose, not because of a single factor but because of the accumulation of these factors. Therefore, environmental requirements for lighting are rarely met with a single characteristic. A high IP rating, a high temperature specification or a corrosion-resistant housing only cover a part of the load. Only when all factors at the site have been evaluated together can it be determined whether a luminaire is suitable.

How does it JEL Products help with environmental requirements for industrial lighting?

JEL Products Supports technical decision-makers in translating environmental requirements into the right lighting solution. That starts with mapping out the specific conditions on site and ends with a fully documented installation that meets all applicable requirements.

Specifically, JEL Products offers:

Technical advice on IP classes, IK ratings and temperature requirements for your specific situation; for ATEX zones, refers JEL to a certified Ex manufacturer
Lighting fixtures with assembly and custom-made production in the Netherlands, designed for extreme conditions such as high temperatures and corrosive environments; for explosion-hazardous zones, refers JEL to a certified Ex manufacturer
Lighting design and engineering as part of a total solution, including light poles, foundations and installation
Support with documentation and declarations of compliance for audits and certification processes
Guidance on subsidy and financing opportunities such as the Energy Investment Deduction (EIA)

Do you have questions about the environmental requirements for lighting in your area, or would you like to know which solution best suits your location? Please contact us via the JEL Products Contact Page for a no-obligation consultation with a specialist.

Blog