I've noticed a few people on other parts of the internet mentioning a "new CRI scale" this sounds like BS to me. Can anybody shine some light on what these people are talking about?

I see no mention anywhere of any new CRI scale.

I wonder if they're talking about extended CRI or Ra:
https://www.waveformlighting.com/tech/what-is-the-difference-between-cri-and-ra

This article saying that light quality is defined by CRI, which is of course, false.

Light "quality" is subjective. What you consider good quality light I might not, or vice versa. You can't define quality with a scale. Well I don't think so, anyway. I think SOX light is excellent quality, but most people probably wouldn't agree. That doesn't make them or me right or wrong, though.

Well, to me the generic term "quality" alone does not represent anything exact. It could have to some extent meaning as "how well it fulfills the requirements". The fact the requirements vary among applications (some property is important for some use and totally irrelevant for other and so on) means the "quality" can  never have universal meaning. So statements like "excellent quality" or "the best quality" are to me nothing more than a marketing BS...


For the "extended CRI" and the description someone posted one chapter I see as the most important: The "Lost in translation". Is clearly states a seemingly same parameter may mean something totally different when you speak with someone in other part of the world or in other industry. They mention "In US the CRI is used as general CRI (R1-8), but in EU and china as extended CRI (R1-14)". Personally not that much sure if the EU really uses extdnded CRI for general lighting, but it has definitely the potential to create a lot of confusions.
In other words the same lamp may get different rating on each side of the pond.