| Product specification fit | Confirm wattage, base type, dimensions, beam angle, CCT, CRI, input voltage, and dimming requirements. | The product specification sheet should match the purchase order and local electrical requirements. Common LED corn bulb options include E26, E27, E39, and E40 bases, depending on the market. | 15% | 5 = all requirements documented; 3 = minor gaps; 1 = major mismatch or unclear specifications. |
| Photometric performance | Evaluate lumen output, efficacy, light distribution, color consistency, and lumen maintenance. | Request an LM-79-style photometric report where applicable. Compare delivered lumens and efficacy under the stated input conditions rather than relying only on nominal wattage. | 15% | 5 = independent test evidence and stable color; 3 = manufacturer data only; 1 = no verifiable performance data. |
| Thermal design and service life | Check heat-sink design, operating temperature, driver quality, and stated lifetime conditions. | A lifetime claim should state the operating environment and test basis. For LED products, L70 or lumen-maintenance information is more useful than an unsupported hour rating. | 12% | 5 = thermal data and maintenance testing available; 3 = basic warranty only; 1 = unsupported lifetime claim. |
| Safety and regulatory documentation | Verify electrical safety, EMC, RoHS, photobiological safety, and market-specific certification requirements. | Ask for certificates and test reports that identify the exact model, rated input, and manufacturing location. Certification needs vary by destination, such as CE-related requirements in the European Economic Area and UL-related requirements in North America. | 15% | 5 = current, traceable documents; 3 = partial documentation; 1 = unverifiable or expired documents. |
| Supplier support and communication | Assess response time, technical knowledge, sample handling, language support, and escalation procedures. | During the quotation stage, record response times and whether answers include drawings, test data, and corrective actions. A written service-level contact is preferable for international orders. | 12% | 5 = prompt, technical, and documented support; 3 = acceptable but inconsistent; 1 = slow or sales-only communication. |
| Pricing transparency | Compare unit price, tooling or customization fees, packaging, payment terms, shipping basis, and taxes. | Compare quotations on the same Incoterm, quantity, specification, packaging, and delivery destination. A low unit price may not represent the lowest landed cost. | 10% | 5 = complete landed-cost breakdown; 3 = minor exclusions; 1 = unclear charges or frequent revisions. |
| Minimum order quantity and scalability | Review sample quantity, trial order size, standard MOQ, production capacity, and replenishment capability. | The commercial fit is stronger when the supplier supports a small pilot order and can maintain the same specification for repeat orders. Confirm capacity before seasonal demand increases. | 8% | 5 = flexible trial order and documented capacity; 3 = moderate restrictions; 1 = high MOQ or uncertain supply. |
| Quality-control process | Check incoming-material inspection, in-process testing, final inspection, sampling method, and batch traceability. | Request a sample inspection report and confirm that serial or batch records can be linked to production dates, components, and test results. | 8% | 5 = traceable multi-stage QC; 3 = final inspection only; 1 = no documented QC process. |
| Warranty and after-sales terms | Review warranty period, failure-rate procedure, replacement policy, claim evidence, and freight responsibility. | The warranty should define coverage, exclusions, operating conditions, claim deadlines, and the remedy. Clarify whether replacement units or credits cover logistics costs. | 10% | 5 = clear and enforceable process; 3 = basic written warranty; 1 = verbal or incomplete commitment. |
| Long-term value and total cost of ownership | Calculate purchase price, freight, installation, electricity, maintenance, replacement, and disposal costs. | Use total cost of ownership rather than unit price alone. Annual energy cost can be estimated as: wattage ÷ 1,000 × operating hours × electricity rate. | 15% | 5 = lowest verified lifecycle cost; 3 = acceptable lifecycle cost; 1 = low purchase price but high operating or replacement risk. |