When does the new standard take effect? Is there a transition period?

PLATO published the new standard on February 2, 2026, and it is now available for purchase. As of this writing, PLATO has not announced a mandatory transition deadline. For retailers and reviewers, the practical question is how quickly brands will adopt the new labeling. Most major manufacturers are expected to transition within 12–18 months.

What does the new stopwatch Turbo icon mean?

The new stopwatch-style icon indicates that the product's Turbo/Boost mode has been tested and labeled according to the new standardized method. It tells you the peak brightness, how long it can sustain that output, and the sustained output after thermal step-down. It's a huge step toward honest Turbo labeling.

ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025 Released: What Flashlight Users Need to Know

ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025 Released: What Flashlight Users, Reviewers & Retailers Need to Know

Q: Is the FL 1 standard mandatory?

No. FL 1 is a voluntary performance standard. However, major North American retailers and institutional buyers widely treat it as a de facto requirement. Lights that don't meet FL 1 testing are at a clear disadvantage in B2B and retail channels.

Q: What's the difference between ANSI/NEMA FL 1-2009 and ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2016?

The 2016 version was a transitional update — mainly transferring the standard's stewardship from NEMA to PLATO, with minimal changes to the test methods themselves. The 2025 version is the real overhaul: Turbo testing, dust ratings, and expanded product scope.

Q: Can I still trust FL 1-2009 ratings on older lights?

Yes — for lights that were tested and labeled under the 2009 standard, those ratings remain valid for that specific product. However, the 2009 standard itself has been withdrawn by ANSI. Going forward, any new product submissions or packaging redesigns should use the 2025 standard. For consumers, it means you'll start seeing new Turbo icons and dust ratings on newer models.

The biggest flashlight standard overhaul in 17 years — Turbo mode finally has a standardized test, dust ratings are here, and the 2009 standard is officially withdrawn.

PLATO (Portable Lights American Trade Organization) officially published ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025 on February 2, 2026. According to PLATO's official announcement, this is the "most significant revision" in the standard's history since its original release in 2009.

The headline change: Turbo/Boost short-duration high-output modes now have a standardized test method — something the industry has never had before.

This article is based entirely on PLATO's public announcement and ANSI Webstore listings. No standard text has been purchased, quoted, or translated. Every fact is linked to its original source.

Disclaimer: This article is based on PLATO's official announcement and ANSI Webstore public listings. We have not purchased, quoted, or translated the ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025 standard text. Any references to test methods, thresholds, or compliance requirements are either direct quotes from public announcements or our own interpretation (clearly marked). For precise testing parameters and compliance, please refer to the official ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025 standard text. This article does not constitute legal or certification advice.

1. FL 1 Standard Timeline: From NEMA to PLATO

The FL 1 standard was originally approved by ANSI on August 18, 2009, developed by NEMA's Flashlight Standards Committee. It was the world's first unified performance testing standard for portable lighting products.Flashlight Wiki Before FL 1, every manufacturer used their own testing methods — "500 lumens" from one brand wasn't comparable to "500 lumens" from another.

2009

ANSI/NEMA FL 1-2009 approvedEstablished 6 core metrics: Light Output, Runtime, Beam Distance, Peak Beam Intensity, Impact Resistance, Water Resistance + icon system.Source

2016

Stewardship moves to PLATOManufacturers involved in FL 1 (including Dorcy and other original committee members) form PLATO. Standard renamed ANSI/PLATO FL 1.Dorcy official Charter members included Energizer, Streamlight, Coleman, SureFire, ASP, Dorcy, Coast, GoLight.Source PLATO now counts 30+ member companies.PLATO History

2019–2022

FL1-2019 & third-party certification eraUL × PLATO partnership announced 2020.UL press release UL S8001 certification launched 2021, covering FL1-2019 defined metrics (including area lights).UL official First certified products in July 2022.

2026

ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025 publishedFive major changes — Turbo standardization, dust ratings, expanded scope, new icons, and more.PLATO official

Important context: FL 1 is voluntary — it's not a government regulation. The original 2009 document explicitly stated it "is not a legal control for who can sell flashlights."Flashlight Wiki However, major North American retailers and institutional buyers treat it as a de facto requirement, which gives it real market power.

2. Key Differences: 2009 vs. 2025

Aspect	ANSI/NEMA FL 1-2009	ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025
Publication Date	Aug 2009Source	Feb 2, 2026PLATO
Standard Steward	NEMA + FSCSource	PLATO (30+ member brands)PLATO
Product Scope	Handheld flashlights primarilySource	Formally expanded to area lights, headlamps, spotlightsANSI Webstore
Core Metrics	6 metrics	6 metrics + dust protection IP5X/IP6XANSI Webstore
Turbo/Boost Mode	No standardized test	First-ever standardized test methodPLATO
Lumen Labeling	Single initial value	New standard requires "consistent, transparent information for sustained and peak output"ANSI
Runtime Definition	Drop to 10% of initial valueSource	10% threshold expected to remain; Turbo step-down counts toward total runtime.CPF discussion
Durability Testing	Impact & water tested separately	Integrated framework for impact + water + dust ingress.PLATO
Icon System	6 basic icons	Full icon refresh + new stopwatch-style Turbo iconPLATO
Standard Price	—	$500 USD (PDF via ANSI Webstore)ANSI Webstore

Bottom line: The 2009 standard solved "do we have a common test method?" The 2025 standard solves "how do we honestly label modern high-output lights?"

3. The 5 Core Changes — What They Mean for You

Change 1

Turbo/Boost Mode Finally Has a Standardized Test

This is the single biggest change. Modern high-output flashlights almost always include a Turbo or Boost mode that delivers maximum brightness for a short period — typically seconds to a few minutes — before thermal step-down kicks in.

Under the old standard, manufacturers could claim "5,000 lumens" without ever saying how long it lasted. The 2025 standard changes that. It establishes the first-ever industry-standard test method for short-duration elevated brightness modes, with "critical measurement parameters defined in the first few seconds" of operation.PLATO announcement

Matt Law, PLATO Standards Committee Chair (Director of Product Development at Coast Products): "These short-duration elevated brightness modes have become a signature feature of modern portable lighting, but the industry didn't have a consistent way to measure and communicate them. This revision brings clarity, consistency, and credibility to Turbo brightness claims."Full quote

Change 2

"Peak vs. Sustained" — The End of One-Number Lumens

The ANSI Webstore description explicitly states that the 2025 revision introduces Turbo/Boost testing "to ensure consistent, transparent information for both sustained and peak output lighting functionality."ANSI Webstore

What this means for you as a buyer: When you see a lumen claim on a 2025-standard light, you'll likely see two numbers — the peak brightness (what the light can hit for a split second) and the sustained brightness (what it can actually hold after thermal regulation kicks in).

Change 3

Product Scope Formally Expanded — Area Lights, Headlamps, Spotlights

The ANSI Webstore page explicitly lists "area lights, spotlights, and headlamps" as covered products.ANSI Webstore PLATO's announcement calls this a formal "expansion of product scope."PLATO

Why this matters: If you're buying or reviewing a camping lantern, work light, bike light, or searchlight, you'll now see FL 1 icons and standardized performance data on those products too — not just handheld flashlights.

Change 4

Dust Protection Ratings — IP5X & IP6X Are Here

The ANSI Webstore listing now includes "water and dust penetration protection" as a test attribute.ANSI Webstore According to PLATO, the new dust protection ratings (IP5X for limited dust ingress, IP6X for completely dust-tight) are aligned with the international enclosure protection standard IEC 60529.PLATO

For outdoor, industrial, and tactical users, this is huge. "Dustproof" is no longer just marketing — it's now a measurable, standardized rating that you can compare across brands.

Change 5

New Icon System — Including a Stopwatch Icon for Turbo

PLATO has refreshed the entire FL 1 icon set and added a brand-new stopwatch-style icon specifically for Turbo brightness performance.PLATO

When you see this stopwatch icon on packaging, it means the product's Turbo mode has been tested and labeled under the new standardized method — so you know exactly what to expect.

4. What This Means for Different Audiences

🔦

For Consumers & Enthusiasts

You'll finally get honest, comparable Turbo numbers. When a light claims "5,000 lumens," you'll also see how long it holds that output and what the sustained brightness actually is. Dust ratings become meaningful. And you'll see FL 1 icons on more product categories — headlamps, work lights, lanterns — not just flashlights.

📝

For Reviewers & Bloggers

Your review methodology needs to evolve. Turbo testing now has a standardized framework — you can measure and compare peak vs. sustained output across brands with confidence. If you publish reviews, consider adding a "sustained output" section and watch for the new stopwatch icon on packaging.

🏬

For Retailers & Buyers

This is a product differentiation opportunity. Brands that adopt the new Turbo labeling standard early can position themselves as transparent and trustworthy. As a buyer, you now have a clear way to compare products: ask for 2025-standard test data, especially the peak vs. sustained numbers.

5. Reading the New Turbo Label — What to Look For

Under the new standard, a properly labeled Turbo mode should tell you three things:

Peak brightness (lumens) — the maximum output the light can achieve, typically measured in the first few seconds.
How long it holds that peak — the duration before the light steps down to a lower sustained output.
Sustained output after step-down — what the light actually holds for the rest of the runtime.

If you see a product that only advertises a Turbo lumen number without these additional details, it's not compliant with the spirit — and potentially not with the letter — of the 2025 standard.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is FL 1 mandatory? Do manufacturers have to follow it?

No — FL 1 is a voluntary performance standard. The original 2009 document explicitly stated it "is not a legal control for who can sell flashlights."Source However, major North American retailers and institutional buyers widely treat it as a de facto requirement. If a light doesn't have FL 1 testing, it's at a clear disadvantage on store shelves.

Q2: What's the difference between ANSI/NEMA FL 1-2009 and ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2016?

The 2016 version was a minor transitional update — it transferred the standard's stewardship from NEMA to PLATO with minimal changes to the test methods themselves.PLATO 2016 announcement The 2025 version is the real overhaul: Turbo testing, dust ratings, expanded scope, and new icons.

Q3: When does the 2025 standard take effect? Is there a transition period?

PLATO published it on February 2, 2026, and it's now available for purchase. As of this writing, PLATO hasn't announced a mandatory transition deadline. In practice, expect major brands to transition within 12–18 months. For reviewers and consumers, the key milestone will be when you start seeing the new stopwatch Turbo icon and dust ratings on retail packaging.

Q4: Can I still trust FL 1-2009 ratings on older lights?

Yes — for products that were tested and labeled under the 2009 standard, those ratings remain valid for that specific product. However, the 2009 standard itself has been withdrawn by ANSI. For any new product submissions or packaging redesigns, the 2025 standard is the current version. As a consumer, expect to see the new labeling on newly released models.

Q5: What's the difference between CE and FL 1?

CE is a mandatory regulatory compliance mark for the EU market — it covers safety, EMC, RoHS, and other legal requirements. FL 1 is a voluntary performance standard for the North American market — it covers brightness, runtime, durability, and other performance metrics. They're not interchangeable. If you're exporting to the EU, you need CE. If you're selling in North American retail channels, you'll want FL 1 testing.

Q6: Do I need to test Turbo mode for every light?

Only if the product has a Turbo/Boost mode and you want to use the new stopwatch icon on packaging.PLATO If your light doesn't have a Turbo mode, you can continue using the 6 core metrics (lumens, runtime, beam distance, peak intensity, impact resistance, water resistance) without the Turbo-specific testing.

Final Thoughts

The release of ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025 marks a major shift in the portable lighting industry — from "peak number marketing" to transparent, comparable performance data. As PLATO Executive Director Andy Skoogman put it: "The revised standard elevates the bar for transparency, consistency, and trust, benefiting manufacturers, retailers, regulators, and consumers worldwide."PLATO announcement

For buyers, reviewers, and retailers, this is a welcome change. You can finally compare Turbo performance across brands with confidence. For the industry, it's a competitive incentive to tell the truth about what these lights can actually do.

📎 Source List (All Public)

PLATO Official Announcement (Feb 2, 2026): plato-usa.org/revised-standard-publication — publication date, 5 changes, Matt Law / Andy Skoogman quotes, stopwatch icon, dust rating alignment with IEC 60529
ANSI Webstore — Standard Product Page: webstore.ansi.org/standards/ansi/ansiplatofl2025 — $500 pricing, product scope (area lights/headlamps/spotlights), water & dust attributes, peak/sustained output language
Flashlight Wiki — ANSI-NEMA FL-1: flashlightwiki.com — Aug 18, 2009 approval date, NEMA FSC authorship, non-mandatory language, 10% runtime definition
PLATO History Page: plato-usa.org/history — PLATO membership size (30+ companies)
PLATO Founding News: AftermarketNews — charter members (Energizer, Streamlight, Coleman, SureFire, ASP, Dorcy, Coast, GoLight)
Dorcy Official Statement: dorcy.com — PLATO formed by original FL 1 Standards Committee members
UL × PLATO Partnership (Sep 2020): PR Newswire — UL S8001 scope (including area lights)
UL First Certified Products (Jul 2022): ul.com — UL S8001 based on FL1-2019
UL/PLATO Certification Milestone (Dec 2025): BusinessWire — latest certification progress
PLATO 2016 Release Announcement: plato-usa.org — 2016 transitional version context
CandlePowerForums Community Discussion: CPF — enthusiast perspective on the new standard

ANSI FL1-2025: What the New Labels Mean