New German DIN standard: light that safeguards human health

One of the countries that takes the issue of lighting seriously is Germany, where in August 2025 a new standard, DIN 5031-100, was officially approved. Its goal is to ensure that interiors are not only well-lit, but that the chosen light also supports health and well-being. The standard newly recognizes that light affects not only vision but also the body’s biological processes — something that is not yet regulated by legislation in the Czech Republic.

What does the standard address?

The standard specifically states that light has a direct impact on our daily lives in the following areas:

• Suppressing or, conversely, supporting the production of melatonin
• Improving alertness and concentration
• Regulating heart rate
• Helping to maintain our circadian rhythm

An important part of the standard is also the warning about the risks of shortwave spectrum light, the so-called “Harmful Blue Light,” which can negatively affect human eyesight.

Why is this important?

The German standard is another clear confirmation that light can no longer be perceived solely from the standpoint of traditional photometric criteria, but also for its non-visual effects on the human body. In the Czech Republic, outdated approaches still prevail, and the biological effects of light in interiors are not yet enshrined in legislation. However, developments in a number of public institutions, which we regularly share, seem to be moving in that direction. Hopefully, we will soon see progress here as well — especially now, during the generational replacement of fluorescent lamps with LEDs, which is the ideal time to also think about people’s health and comfort in buildings, following the example of our German neighbors.

Thanks to the new German standard DIN 5031-100, we now better understand what kind of light benefits our bodies and what to avoid. It can also serve as a reliable guide for the proper use and selection of indoor lighting. At Spectrasol, we’ll be happy to help you with that.

You can view more details about the DIN 5031-100 standard here.

Translated using AI