Exciting news in the lighting industry as ISO/CIE 8995-1, Light and lighting – Lighting of work places was published on January 31st, 2025.
At BrainLit, we have been developing indoor lighting with emphasis on human health and well-being since 2012. It is with excitement that we announce that this vision is not just shared and recognized but now also standardized by ISO. The document which specifies the new global ISO standard for indoor lighting in work places, includes recommendations for circadian stimulation (m-EDI) during daytime, evening and nighttime.
What the new standard entails
To thrive, we need indoor lighting to adjust its brightness and spectrum (color composition) based on the time of day. Put simply, we need brighter lighting with a dose of blue (akin to natural daylight) during the daytime. In the evening, we require softer lighting with minimal blue content. The new ISO standard specifies clear recommendations for m-EDI values for these conditions (see the fact boxes below).
Daytime:
Minimum 250 lux m-EDI. This can be achieved with blue-rich light, similar to daylight.
Evening:
Maximum 10 lux m-EDI 3 hours before bedtime. For example dimmed, candle-like warm light with little blue content.
Nighttime:
Ideally no light, max 1 lux m-EDI as we sleep. In case activities during the night require vision, max 10 lux m-EDI.
The quantity m-EDI
To measure the impact of light on the body’s internal biological clock, the standard uses m-EDI (Melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance). m-EDI is a measure of the light stimulating our circadian rhythm. Bright days and dark nights are needed for a stable, healthy circadian rhythm.
How BrainLit adheres to the new standard
We been offering Biocentric lighting since 2012, providing minimum 250 lux m-EDI where it is needed. Biocentric lighting is modeled, specified and validated in circadian measurement values. It has proven health impact. Biocentric light is controlled by light recipes that ensure the right type of light at the right time of day, both in terms of intensity and spectrum. This means that Biocentric lighting not only meets, but exceeds the new ISO standard recommendations.
Read the new ISO-standard here: https://www.iso.org/standard/76342.html
