Properties of LEDs with respect to their functioning are characterized by variations that are due to the manufacturing process. This applies for white and coloured (monochromatic) LEDs. LED manufacturers therefore classify LEDs into "functioning classes (bins)". IEC/PAS 62707-1 specifies general requirements for the binning of LEDs and defines a white binning grid.

This VDE application guide specifies the binning of luminous flux and an optional nomenclature (binning code) for LEDs emitting incoherent, visible radiation.
This VDE application guide is based on discussions in IEC/SC 34A which were not continued beyond the stage of committee draft in this international committee. Subcommittee DKE/UK 521.1 "Elektrische Lampen" of the DKE German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies of DIN and VDE (www.dke.de) has adopted this application guide for publication at its meeting in May 2012.