PLATO Announces Publication of Revised ANSI/PLATO FL 1 2025 Standard
Landmark Update Introduces Industry-First Standard for Turbo / Boost Brightness Claims
Minneapolis, MN — Feb. 2, 2026 — The Portable Lights American Trade Organization (PLATO) today announced the publication of the revised ANSI/PLATO FL 1 Standard, marking the most significant update in the Standard’s history and reinforcing its role as the global benchmark for portable lighting performance.
The revised Standard reflects how portable lighting technology has evolved, delivering clearer, more consistent, and more transparent performance information for consumers while providing manufacturers with science-based, globally aligned testing guidance.
The most significant advancement is the introduction of a standardized test method for Short-Duration Elevated Brightness—commonly marketed as “turbo,” “boost,” or similar modes. These high-output features, now widely used across the industry, deliver extreme brightness for brief periods but previously lacked a consistent and transparent way to measure and compare performance.
The new methodology establishes defined measurement parameters during the critical first seconds of operation, ensuring turbo brightness claims are accurate, comparable, and meaningful—eliminating one of the most persistent sources of confusion in portable lighting performance reporting.
“Short-duration high-output modes like turbo or boost have become a defining feature of modern portable lighting, but the industry didn’t have a consistent way to measure or communicate that performance,” said Matt Law, Chair of the PLATO Standards Committee and Director of Product Development at Coast Products. “This revision brings clarity, consistency, and credibility to turbo brightness claims, helping consumers better understand real-world performance while giving manufacturers a technically sound framework to stand behind their products.”
Additional highlights of the ANSI/PLATO FL 1 revision include:
• A formally expanded product scope covering area lights, headlamps, spotlights, and additional portable lighting categories
• The addition of dust protection ratings (IP5X and IP6X) aligned with international enclosure protection standards
• Enhanced durability testing integrating impact resistance with water and dust ingress protection
• Updated ANSI PLATO FL1 icons, including a new stopwatch-style icon clearly identifying turbo brightness performance
“With this revision, ANSI/PLATO FL 1 continues to evolve alongside the industry it serves,” said Andy Skoogman, Executive Director of PLATO. “It raises the bar for transparency, consistency, and trust—benefiting manufacturers, retailers, regulators, and consumers worldwide.”
Purchase the Standard and Become a PLATO Member
The revised ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2025 Standard is now available for purchase.
To support adoption, non-PLATO members who purchase the Standard between now and July 1, 2026 will receive a complimentary one-year trial PLATO membership, including access to training webinars, technical resources, industry updates, and member meetings. (Offer available to first-time PLATO member companies only.)
About PLATO
The Portable Lights American Trade Organization (PLATO) is a global industry association representing leading manufacturers, brands, suppliers, and stakeholders across the portable lighting market. As the accredited standards developer of the ANSI/PLATO FL 1 Standard, PLATO brings together major global brands through a collaborative, member-driven approach to advance performance standards, technical education, product integrity, and consumer trust worldwide.
