The original ELI program tested the quality certification and labeling concept and focused on seven countries during the period 2000 through 2003. In 2005, the China Standard Certification Center (CSC) was commissioned by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), to develop and expand the ELI certification and branding system globally. The expanded ELI program is operated by a new institute, the ELI Quality Certification Institute, which is led by CSC with assistance from a team of international experts from Asia, North America and Latin America.

The new, expanded ELI Program is an extension of the original ELI seven-country program, and will continue to work in cooperation with government agencies, international organizations, manufacturers, testing laboratories, lighting associations, large retailers and other agencies, etc. to accelerate the widespread adoption of energy-efficient lighting products and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ELI Quality Certification Institute is seeking strategic partnerships worldwide, and is working to establish ELI as a global service network. During 2008, ELI will focus on the developing countries of Asia/Asia Pacific, Latin America and Africa and also seek opportunities to harmonize its test methods and performance specifications with other voluntary labeling programs internationally.

Interested manufacturers may qualify their lighting products to carry the ELI logo by showing that they comply with the ELI technical specifications. Compliance with the ELI specifications will be determined by the ELI Quality Certification Institute through a review and assessment of all supporting documentation submitted by the applicant as well as product performance data from accredited lighting laboratories.

The ELI Quality Certification Institute is currently promoting the following voluntary technical specifications for energy efficient lighting:

• Self-Ballasted Compact Fluorescent Lamps
• Double-Capped Fluorescent Lamps
• Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts
•  Street Lighting (to be launched in 2008)
•  Indoor Lighting System (to be lauched in 2008)
•  First LED Products (to be lauched in 2009)
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In the future, ELI will develop technical specifications to cover other types of energy-efficient lighting. In addition, ELI encourages manufacturers to produce low-toxic and environmental-friendly lighting products and the manufacturers' statement for low-toxic content is preferred and encouraged by ELI.