How DarkSky Approved Lighting Certification Works

DarkSky International's DarkSky Approved program evaluates and certifies outdoor lighting in two distinct categories: lighting equipment (individual products) and lighting projects (installed systems). If you are shopping for outdoor fixtures and want a credible shortcut to responsible lighting, the equipment certification is the relevant one — it lets you filter products by a third-party evaluation rather than relying on a manufacturer's own "dark sky friendly" claim. The program involves manufacturers, retailers, designers, communities, and others, and DarkSky International publishes a searchable list of approved products.

What the certification actually covers

The program splits into two tracks, and mixing them up is the most common source of confusion:

For a purchasing decision, the equipment track is what you can act on directly. The project track matters if you are specifying or retrofitting lighting for a whole site — for example, a streetlight LED retrofit of the kind DarkSky International documents in Portland, Oregon.

Why the certification is useful when buying

Light pollution is defined by DarkSky International as the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. Its documented effects include disruption of wildlife, impacts on human well-being, wasted money and energy, contribution to climate change, and loss of our view of the universe. A fixture that carries DarkSky Approved status is one that has been evaluated against the organization's criteria for responsible outdoor lighting, which is a more specific signal than marketing language.

That matters because "dark sky friendly" is not a protected term. Any product page can use it. The certification gives you a defined evaluation performed by the organization that runs the International Dark Sky Places program and works with governments on outdoor lighting policy.

How to find approved lighting products

1. Go to darksky.org and locate the DarkSky Approved program section, which describes the equipment and project certification tracks.
2. Use the "Find approved lighting products" entry point linked from that section.
3. Search or browse the listed products, then match what you find against the fixture type, mounting, and performance needs of your site.
4. If a product you are considering is not listed, treat any dark sky claim on its packaging as unverified by DarkSky International.

The expected result is a shortlist of fixtures that have already cleared the organization's evaluation, which you can then narrow by your own technical requirements.

Where the certification stops

Certification of a product does not certify your installation. A correctly rated fixture can still produce glare, trespass, or skyglow if it is aimed badly, over-bright, or left on when not needed. DarkSky International frames the broader solution as responsible lighting practices, dark sky friendly legislation, and continued scientific research — the product list addresses only the equipment part of that.

If you want to go further than product selection, the organization's other routes are:

• International Dark Sky Places — certified and protected dark places you can visit, run with communities, parks, and municipalities.
• Public policy work — engagement with communities and governments on night sky protection and outdoor lighting quality.
• Education and outreach — global information sharing supported by volunteer Advocates.
• Local chapters — more than 65 international chapters; a chapter finder is available on the site if you want to get involved locally.

Practical takeaway

Use DarkSky Approved equipment certification as a screening filter when you buy outdoor lighting, then apply responsible lighting practice at installation. If you are lighting a whole site rather than choosing fixtures, look at the project certification track instead, and check whether your area has a local chapter or relevant dark sky friendly legislation that sets requirements beyond the product list.