PLATO Releases its revised ANSI/PLATO FL 1 2016 Standard, which aims to improve portable light quality and packaging transparency
St. Paul, Minnesota — After a thorough review of the existing American National Standards Institute (ANSI)FL 1 standard and input from a diverse cross-section of portable lighting industry leaders, PLATO announced today the release of its revised ANSI/PLATO FL12016 Standard.
The revised standard covers basic performance of hand-held portable flashlights, spotlights, and headlamps and is intended to encourage the development of improved products, methods and materials. The ANSI/PLATO FL 1 2016 Standard will also strengthen the portable lights industry by providing more credibility to those portable lights companies correctly using the standard and its icons.
“Through this process, PLATO incorporated major improvements to the clarity and utility of the existing standard as dictated by the market,” said Skip Sant, PLATO’s Standards Committee Chair. “The revised standard clarifies measurement language, reduces duplications and eliminates unnecessary operations. It refines specific laboratory procedures and testing conditions.”
The ANSI/PLATO FL 1 2016 Standard focuses on beam distance, peak beam intensity, run time, impact resistance and water penetration protection.In addition, PLATO feels lighting manufacturers will welcome the standard’s new series of icons, as they allow additional data to be communicated in a smaller space on packaging and printed materials. The new split icons provide space for two values per metric in a single image.
“We are confident the updated ANSI/PLATO FL 12016 Standard will assist manufacturers in ensuring their products are preforming as intended,” said PLATO President Kevin Parsons. “We feel it also sets a level playing field in helping end users and retailers make informed decisions about choosing a portable light that meets their needs. Overall, PLATO is in an even better position to add value to the portable lighting industry and our members.”
Parsons said that PLATO recognizes new products and methods are constantly being developed, and PLATO is committed to monitoring, updating, and revising the standard to ensure it remains relevant to industry advancements. PLATO also encourages manufacturers to request such appropriate revisions.
The new standard is free to PLATO members. Non-PLATO members may purchase a copy for $350. To obtain the revised ANSI/PLATO FL 1 2016 Standard, contact PLATO Executive Director Andy Skoogman at executivedirector@plato-usa.org or 651-485-7667.
