Continuous improvement in the materials, processing and device structure of light-emitting diodes based on fully conjugated PPV-type polymers has led to a performance level suitable for application. In this paper we report on the electrical characteristics of large area devices, and show lifetime data at room temperature of several thousands of hours. In order to come to a more convenient testing scheme, lifetimes have been measured at higher operational intensity as well as elevated temperature and relative humidity. From these data, device degradation at normal operating conditions can be extrapolated. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.