2020 Awards Categories

The Sapphire Awards judging panel reserves the right to move any entries into a category that is deemed appropriate or more fitting based on the description of the product and any materials that support the submission. Categories may be modified at the discretion of the Sapphire Awards advisors and judges after the close of submissions. 

Emergency SSL Luminaires, Modules and Drivers - Luminaires designed to meet regulatory policy on emergency lighting and technologies such as connectivity and battery-backup implementations that enable people to exit a facility in the case of any power loss.

Packaged LEDs and OLEDs - Packaged LEDs encompass all standalone LED devices, whether surface-mount, chip-on-board (CoB), chip-scale package (CSP), or other technologies. Ultraviolet or infrared LEDs may be submitted into the packaged LED category. OLED devices and panels intended for incorporation into finished products should be submitted into this category.

Modular LED Light Engines - Modular LED light engines consists of integrated assemblies of packaged LEDs or arrays of LEDs, an LED driver, and assorted optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical components. LED projector assemblies may also be considered.

LED Drivers - Devices responsible for providing and regulating power to LED components or fixtures. Devices may be internal or external, constant current or constant voltage drivers; AC LED drivers would be submitted in this category.

SSL Enabling Technologies (optics, interconnect, thermal, etc.) - Enabling technologies encompasses components aside from the LED and associated electronics (microcontrollers, integrated circuits, LED drivers, etc.): optics, lenses, waveguides, lightguides, diffusers; optical materials; interconnect technologies for interfacing components, such as connectors, cabling, LED holders; thermal management materials and devices such as heatsinks, coolers, substrates; and any other materials such as bonding, encapsulation, assembly materials, etc.

ICs and Electronic Components for SSL - This category includes all the electronic components designed as integrated circuit (IC) or microcontroller units (MCUs), driver ICs, color sensors, and other types of sensors that are integrated into an LED-based system.

Tools and Tests in SSL Design - “Tools” generally is our catch-all term for simulation, design, and test and measurement software but can also include online-available services such as apps that help with these tasks. “Tests” covers SSL test and measurement hardware/equipment, including spectrometers, integrating spheres, goniometers, luminance meters, and full metrology systems.

Commerical-Quality SSL Lamp Design - Any lamps for commercial or residential use will be appropriate for submission. This category will include products such as LED T8 lamps (tubes), PAR lamps, MR16 lamps, A-lamps, and so on. Smart and/or tunable lamp products should also be entered into this category.

Horticultural Lighting - Horticultural SSL products may span from packaged LEDs that deliver wavelengths specifically designed to support plant health and growing operations, to fixtures to full smart lighting systems that monitor and adjust light for programmed conditions.

Lighting for Health and Wellbeing - Human-centric lighting, or lighting for health and wellbeing, describes a broad range of products and technologies from lighting that delivers a dynamic spectrum to support human circadian rhythms to SSL that can perform disinfection or sanitizing tasks to prevent the spread of pathogens via surfaces, air, or water.

Indoor SSL Luminaire Design - All LED fixtures and luminaires rated and intended for indoor application only, commercial or residential. Includes architectural and indoor decorative products (cove, accent, and others) as well as task lighting, ambient lighting, emergency lighting, etc.

Outdoor SSL Luminaire Design - All LED fixtures and luminaires rated and intended for outdoor application only. Includes exterior area and street lighting, exterior architectural lighting, landscape lighting, pedestrian-scale lighting, wall-washers, etc.

Industrial SSL Luminaire Design - All LED fixtures and luminaires designed for use in harsh industrial conditions such as in warehouses, manufacturing plants, storage facilities, factories, and so on. Includes high-lumen-output or high-ceiling products such as high bays.

Smart and Connected SSL Engabling Technologies - Modules, connectivity products, and other enablers for smart lighting, smart buildings, and smart cities. Can include software, modules, smart sensors, intelligent drivers, smart switches, and other enabling technologies that feature in a larger networked lighting installation. Can include both wired and wireless networking technologies.

Smart and Connected SSL Systems - Full-featured smart lighting management platforms that may connect and control a network of devices, and/or multiple building/city systems, and/or deliver applications such as indoor location/positioning services, asset tracking and control, dynamic lighting control systems, etc. Can include both wired and wireless networking technologies.

Specialty SSL Design - Includes all SSL products intended for applications aside from general illumination, horticultural lighting, and lighting for health and wellbeing. Applications can include automotive, medical, life sciences/research, and façade lighting.

If you need assistance selecting a category for your submission, please e-mail your inquiry to Joey Mechelle Farqué, and our team will be glad to advise you.

The DEADLINE has been extented to enter the 2020 Sapphire Awards.

Submit Nominations by October 22, 2019. Enter here.

Submission Requirements for Sapphire Awards Product Entries

• Product name (and model number, if applicable)

• Company name

• Print quality photo(s) of the product (300 dpi at 1500 pixels wide or better)

You will also need to select the category in which your product will be judged.  If your product could fit in more than one category, please select only one as each product will only be judged once. 

In the section labeled Product Entries, you have the opportunity to include additional materials and provide a brief description of the product’s innovations and value-added features to further support your entry.  Note that more complete entries give the judges a better understanding of the products.  Optional supplemental items to consider incorporating into your submission (subject to a 5 document upload limit) include but are not limited to:

• Press releases

• Technical and/or corporate backgrounders

• Data sheets

• Application notes

• Case studies

Please note that a contact from the company is required in case technical questions arise during the review period. If an agency is submitting the product on behalf of a company, please provide two points of contact: a primary contact from the agency and a secondary contact from the company.

Nomination Fees

• EARLY BIRD DEADLINE August 30,2019: $395 Per Entry

• August 31, 2019 at Regular Submission Rate: $495 Per Entry