Nowadays, a manufacturer's competitive strategy is being diverted to product warranty. The FTC has a complete guide to help navigate you through the legalese and meet your legal obligation to write warranties that buyers can understand. Read it through and come back here for industry-specific warranty information.
Type of Warranty: "Full" or "Limited"
No lighting manufacturer will offer full warranty unless either they are mad or their products have reliability unaffected by any factors, which is certainly impossible. A full warranty means during the period of coverage the seller will refund for or replace the defected products to anyone who owns your product, after a reasonable number of tries to repair your product, without preconditions and limitations. The full warranty also cover all the expenses incurred during the fulfilment of an action in warranty. Such costs include, for example, the service fees charged by an electrician to repair or reinstall a lamp, and the freight for returning the defected product.
A limited warranty has restrictions on the coverage. It can mean the seller could exclude virtually anything unfavorable to them. Often, a limited warranty covers just the products and not the cost required to replace the lamp. That's why you often see the term "Backed by a X-year limited warranty" in the manufacturer's offer sheet or cutsheet.
The title of a warranty letter is usually a single phrase "Limited Warranty" but some may prefer to write in this way: "X-Year Limited Warranty" or "Company A LED Luminaire Limited Warranty'.
The Warranty Coverage
This section outlines the covered products or parts, period, and the beneficiary. In many cases it's a canned message e.g., "Subject to the terms and conditions below, Company A warrants to the purchaser that Product H will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of X years from the date of purchase (or date of shipping, date of installation, date of invoice, etc.). " You can also specify different coverages for each component, such as drivers, light controls, LED modules, housing finishes, etc.
The Warranty Remedy
Establish exactly what the seller will do to fix problems. Here's a sample: "If the product fails to comply with the Limited Warranty, Company A, at its sole option, will either repair or replace the defective part or parts or else make available a new replacement unit that will provide equal or better performance. Company A is not responsible for labor and other costs associated with removal or reinstallation. Where a defective product is replaced under this warranty, the balance of the original warranty period shall remain effective."
Terms and Conditions
Clarify what the seller will not do. Unlike conventional lighting systems, LED luminaires are much complicated systems that incorporate various electronic components which are vulnerable to abnormal operating parameter variations. This section is where the seller releases themselves from liabilities resulting from improper use, external causes, or force majeure (acts of God). LED lighting manufacturers are required to inform clearly purchasers of the items that the seller is irresponsible for.
The above sections are the primary information the product warranty should provide. You may supplement the warranty by adding more provisions such as warranty claims, disclaimers, limitations of liability, etc. Although a product warranty is not necessarily meant to be complicated. Refer to warranties made by your industry peers or consult your lawyers, if available, to make your own product warranty.
