Uncertified LED bulbs grab half of Tk3,000cr market, squeezing compliant manufacturers

Highlights:

• Uncertified LED bulbs make up an estimated 45-50% of Bangladesh's market
• Cheap bulbs can fail sooner and consume more electricity
• Unstable lighting may cause eye strain, discomfort and headaches
• BSTI certification helps consumers identify products meeting prescribed standards
• Consumers should check certification, warranties, receipts, wattage and lumen information
• Unapproved products create unfair competition for compliant local manufacturers

A Tk120 LED bulb bought from a roadside electronics shop in Dhaka's Moghbazar stopped working within a month, leaving its buyer with little recourse as the product came without a warranty, certification mark or printed price.

Sajib Ahmed returned to the shop hoping to replace the defective 20-watt bulb, but a shop employee told him that such non-branded products came without any guarantee or warranty.

The "Ketty" bulb had no visible Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) approval mark, certification mark (CM) licence number, warranty information, maximum retail price or expiry date.

The incident highlights a broader problem in Bangladesh's lighting market, where low-cost, uncertified LED bulbs are increasingly competing with products made or marketed by companies that comply with regulatory and quality standards.

Industry insiders estimate that 45-50% of Bangladesh's roughly Tk3,000 crore bulb market consists of unapproved or uncertified low-quality products.

Infograph: TBS

The spread of such bulbs is raising concerns over consumer safety, product durability and electricity efficiency, while also putting pressure on local manufacturers that invest in meeting regulatory and quality standards.

At a Moghbazar shop, several other low-priced brands, including V Green, Luxury, Jadroo, Cosco, Arly and Welton, were also found on sale.

Shop employee Sohag said customers often choose these products because they are significantly cheaper than established brands.

"A branded bulb of the same wattage and approved by BSTI costs more than Tk200. Customers looking for cheaper options often buy these locally produced small-brand bulbs," he said.

Companies including Akij Resource (Enovar), Walton, Super Star, RFL, Transtec, Osaka and MEP sell LED bulbs and other lighting products that comply with Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) standards.

Khairul, a customer at Habib Super Shop in Karwan Bazar, said consumers do not always have the opportunity or inclination to check whether products carry proper certification.

"Not everyone buys a product just because they see the BSTI logo. And with so many products available, it is not always easy for consumers to determine which ones are approved," he said.

"People want to buy products at lower prices. At the same time, it has become difficult to distinguish which products are genuine and which are not."

Cheap bulbs can mean higher electricity bills

LED bulbs are designed to produce the required amount of light while consuming relatively little electricity, but this depends on the quality of the LED chip, driver and other components.

Poor-quality products can be less efficient, meaning consumers may spend more on electricity while receiving less or less stable light.

Sohel Rana, chief business officer (electricals) at Walton Hi-Tech Park, said around 45-50% of products in several lighting categories are non-branded and do not have BSTI approval.

These include bulbs, bracket/DT tube lights, downlights, surface-panel lights, rechargeable AC/DC bulbs, smart LED bulbs, floodlights, spotlights and decorative lights.

According to Sohel, such products reach the market through two major routes.

Complete bulbs or components are imported from China and supplied through importers, dealers and retailers, while other components are imported in completely knocked-down (CKD) form and assembled in Bangladesh.

"Such products generally result in electricity bills that can be one-and-a-half to two times higher," he said.

For consumers, the cost can therefore come from having to replace a bulb sooner and paying more for electricity because of inefficient performance.

Poor-quality driver circuits can also cause excessive flickering or unstable light output.

Prolonged exposure to unstable lighting while studying or working may cause eye strain, discomfort or headaches, particularly where lights are used for long periods.

Why BSTI certification matters

For products covered by mandatory certification requirements, a BSTI CM licence indicates that the product has been assessed against prescribed standards.

Mohammad Alauddin Hossain, director at BSTI, said consumers should not rely solely on claims or numbers printed on packaging.

He advised buyers to purchase from authorised and reliable sellers, preserve receipts, check wattage and lumen information and avoid buying bulbs without a warranty card.

Checking CM licence information before purchase can provide an additional safeguard against uncertified products.

Local manufacturers face an uneven playing field

Bangladesh has developed domestic capacity to manufacture and assemble lighting products, with companies investing in production facilities, technology, distribution networks and regulatory compliance.

But manufacturers that bear these costs can struggle to compete with cheaper products entering the market without comparable certification or quality requirements.

RN Paul, managing director of RFL Group, said the problem goes beyond consumer losses.

"Customers are being deceived, while local investors are also at risk. These products make it difficult for compliant manufacturers to capture the market and can undermine consumer confidence in the entire category. Our investments also need returns," he said.

He called for stronger government action against unapproved products.

Driven by nationwide electrification, Bangladesh's LED lighting industry has transitioned over the past decade from heavy import reliance to a technologically advanced domestic manufacturing base, according to Walton CBO Sohel.

"Through continuous strong R&D, production capabilities, and rigorous quality control, Walton meets BSTI standards domestically and follows IEC for international standards," Sohel said.

He stressed that every product undergoes rigorous safety, performance, and durability testing to ensure quality standards across residential and industrial lighting segments.