The latest revision addresses evolving portable lighting technology, introduces new testing methods and improves the clarity of product performance claims.
Portable lighting technology continues to evolve. Today’s flashlights, headlamps and other portable lights offer capabilities that were far less common when the ANSI/PLATO FL 1 Standard was first developed.
Manufacturers are introducing higher-output modes, expanding product durability claims and finding new ways to communicate performance to consumers.
The ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025 revision addresses these developments while preserving the standardized testing and reporting framework that has helped manufacturers, retailers and consumers compare portable lighting products for more than 15 years.
The revision focuses on four principal areas: short-duration elevated brightness, dust ingress testing, updated product markings and revised IPX8 water-resistance testing.
Here’s what changed—and why it matters.
1. A New Way to Test and Report Turbo and Boost Modes
One of the most significant additions to the standard addresses short-duration elevated brightness modes, commonly marketed as Turbo, Boost or similar names.
These modes allow a light to produce an exceptionally high level of output for a short period. However, previous editions of the standard did not provide a method for testing and reporting performance results for modes lasting less than 30 seconds.
As these features became increasingly common, manufacturers had different approaches to measuring and reporting their performance.
The revised standard establishes a dedicated testing method for short-duration elevated brightness without changing the established testing and reporting procedures for standard operating modes.
Under the new method:
Lumen output, beam distance and peak beam intensity are measured between one and 10 seconds.
Runtime is measured from the start of the mode until output drops to 90% of the highest measurement recorded during the first 10 seconds.
A shaded table row and stopwatch icon distinguish short-duration performance claims from standard operating modes.
Why it matters: The new method gives manufacturers a consistent way to test and report short-duration brightness while helping consumers distinguish a brief burst of maximum output from performance that can be sustained over a longer period.
2. Dust Ingress Testing Is Now Included
Water-resistance ratings have long been part of ANSI/PLATO FL 1. However, manufacturers have increasingly begun including dust-resistance claims on portable lighting products as well.
The revised standard responds by introducing dust ingress testing and associated markings.
The testing approach is similar to that used in IEC 60598. A product is powered on and allowed to reach an elevated operating temperature before dust testing begins. This approach does not require drilling a hole in the product to create a vacuum.
The revision also introduces new icons for dust protection and combined dust and water protection.
Why it matters: Manufacturers now have a standardized approach for reporting dust ingress protection alongside other established portable lighting performance characteristics.
3. Updated Markings Make Performance Claims Clearer
Standardized product markings are an important part of ANSI/PLATO FL 1. They allow manufacturers to present performance information in a consistent format and help retailers and consumers understand what the numbers mean.
The 2025 revision introduces several marking updates, including:
A revised top banner and bottom border for more consistent presentation.
A “MAX” designation on the lumen icon to clarify that the reported value represents the highest output for the claimed mode.
New markings for short-duration elevated brightness and dust protection.
Updated tables and formatting to accommodate the additional performance information.
Why it matters: These changes help manufacturers communicate performance claims more consistently and make it easier to distinguish between different operating modes and protection ratings.
4. More Flexibility for IPX8 Water-Resistance Testing
The revision also updates the requirements for IPX8 testing.
Previous editions specified a fixed four-hour testing duration. The revised standard allows testing depth and duration to vary, aligning the approach more closely with ANSI/IEC 60529, the underlying standard for IP testing.
This provides manufacturers with greater flexibility to test and report water-resistance performance based on defined conditions.
Why it matters: The updated approach accommodates different product designs and intended uses while maintaining a standardized testing framework.
What Hasn’t Changed?
An important objective of the revision was to address new technology without disrupting established performance testing.
For example, the new short-duration elevated brightness requirements were developed as a separate testing section. Standard operating modes continue to be tested using the existing procedures.
The goal was not to reinvent ANSI/PLATO FL 1. It was to address gaps, improve clarity and ensure the standard continues to reflect the products available in today’s marketplace.
A Collaborative, Consensus-Based Process
PLATO is an ANSI-accredited standards developer and follows established requirements for reviewing, updating and maintaining the standard.
The revision process included a 33-member roster representing producers, testing laboratories, retailers and distributors, users and media, and general-interest participants.
The Standards Committee received and reviewed 54 comments, incorporating updates based on that feedback.
This collaborative process is central to the standard’s value. Input from different segments of the industry helps ensure that revisions reflect a range of technical and practical perspectives.
What’s Next?
ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025 represents another step in the evolution of portable lighting performance standards.
As technology continues to advance, PLATO will continue working with manufacturers, laboratories and other stakeholders to identify emerging issues and consider future improvements.
Participation in the standards development process is voluntary, and PLATO encourages interested individuals and organizations to get involved.
The bottom line: The 2025 revision gives the portable lighting industry updated tools to test emerging product capabilities, report performance consistently and communicate claims more clearly.
For manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike, that means better information and a more consistent basis for understanding portable lighting performance.
Interested in learning more?
Contact PLATO to learn more about ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025, standards committee participation and resources available to the portable lighting industry.