Datek Light Control turns to EPDs to stay ahead of the market

"Having EPDs not only helps us improve the sustainability of our products but also strengthens our market position. It allows us to pre-qualify for tenders, access more customers, and stay ahead of industry shifts. As early adopters of EPDs, it's useful for our brand and business model."

—Øyvind Sløgedal, CEO at Datek Light Control

Datek Light Control provides solutions to control and monitor outdoor lighting. Hundreds of thousands of light points across Europe use its wireless cloud-based system. With customers across public and private sectors, Datek Light Control offers specialized functionality for various environments, including street lighting, sports facilities, parks, tunnels, bridges, ski resorts, and harbors. The system is designed to optimize energy consumption, streamline operations and maintenance, as well as minimize unwanted light pollution. 

Using One Click LCA's EPD Generator, Datek Light Control published its first environmental product declarations (EPDs) for its lighting control unit (LCU) — a plug-and-play device that transforms standard luminaires into smart, centrally controlled lighting systems. Integrated into or mounted onto luminaires, the LCU allows for seamless remote operation.

The role of EPDs in sustainable outdoor lighting

"We started developing EPDs to stay ahead of market demands in Norway, especially as major customers and municipalities increasingly require them in purchasing decisions."

— Marcus Hillig, Senior Project Manager at Datek

Sustainability is at the core of Datek Light Control’s business. By centralizing lighting control, its system significantly reduces energy consumption and light pollution while streamlining operations and maintenance. But sustainability goes beyond products — the team integrates into every aspect of its operations, from office practices to travel and hardware choices. 

Over the past three years, Datek Light Control has also worked closely with its Asian suppliers to ensure compliance with Norway's Transparency Act, which requires due diligence on human rights and social responsibility throughout the supply chain. EPDs play a key role in providing valuable data on emissions and environmental impact. 

Challenges in measuring and assessing the carbon impact of the product

Despite its long-standing focus on energy-efficient lighting, Datek Light Control faced challenges in assessing its carbon footprint at the product level. With a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, the product's primary environmental impact comes from operational energy use rather than production. However, since its products are designed to reduce the energy consumption of luminaires, their total environmental benefit is not always immediately apparent in conventional carbon assessments. This complexity required a nuanced approach to measuring the impact of the hardware.

Using EPD insights to improve product development 

"If you can’t track and manage your product’s footprint, you risk losing customers in the long run. Even small changes, like switching from air to sea transport, can make a significant difference. Understanding these effects helps optimize operations and future-proof your business."

— Marcus Hillig, Senior Project Manager at Datek

Datek Light Control leverages EPD insights to refine product development with a particular focus on energy efficiency and packaging. While small adjustments to electronic components have minimal impact due to the product’s small size, packaging optimization offers substantial benefits.

By reducing packaging size and using more sustainable materials, the company can lower transport emissions and improve efficiency, even if these changes are not always fully visible in the EPD. These improvements contribute to an overall reduction in environmental impact, aligning with Datek Light Control’s sustainability goals.

Creating the first EPD for the light control unit (LCU)

Datek Light Control’s LCU is a compact, plug-and-play device that transforms regular luminaires into smart lighting systems. Once attached to a luminaire, it connects to a gateway and allows for seamless remote operation of large-scale lighting networks.

With the support of One Click LCA, Datek Light Control created its first EPD for its LCU manufactured in Asia by closely collaborating with the factories to gather the necessary data. The team found that environmental awareness has significantly increased among suppliers, with efforts such as energy-efficient production, optimized cooling of buildings, and last-mile component delivery using electric vehicles. These improvements contributed to a more sustainable manufacturing process.

The benefits of using One Click LCA for EPD creation

"With public tenders now requiring a 30% evaluation of environmental impact, having an EPD provides a verified, objective measure of our product’s environmental footprint."

—  Øyvind Sløgedal CEO at Datek Light Control

During the EPD development process, One Click LCA supported Datek Light Control with:

• Full access and ownership of their data, allowing for continuous product development
• Advanced simulation capabilities that allowed the team to engage in impact assessments rather than passively receiving results
• A smooth and quick EPD creation process with only minor clarifications after review
• Scalability of the One Click LCA software

Conclusion

By using One Click LCA, Datek Light Control successfully created its first EPD, positioning itself as an early adopter of carbon assessments in the sustainable outdoor lighting industry. Beyond ensuring transparency and compliance, EPDs serve as a strategic tool for optimizing product development, reducing emissions, and meeting customer expectations. As sustainability regulations and market demands continue to evolve, Datek Light Control’s proactive approach keeps it at the forefront of innovation in energy-efficient lighting solutions.