Plato USA

The Portable Lights American Trade Organization (PLATO) today announced that Coast Products has become the first manufacturer approved to submit laboratory test data for product performance certifications under the UL/PLATO Certification Program (UL S8001).

This milestone marks a major step forward in improving accuracy, transparency, and trust in the portable lighting industry. Through this approval, Coast’s laboratory is now authorized to provide verified test data for review and certification by UL Solutions, under the jointly developed program that validates product performance to the ANSI/PLATO FL 1–2019 Standard.

“This is a significant achievement for both Coast and the entire portable lighting industry,” said Andy Skoogman, PLATO’s Executive Director. “It demonstrates Coast’s commitment to transparency and validates the purpose of the UL/PLATO Certification Program — to create a trusted, independent system for verifying product performance.”

Developed in partnership between PLATO and UL Solutions, the UL S8001 Certification Program provides manufacturers with a standardized, third-party process to substantiate product performance claims.

“We’re proud to be the first manufacturer approved under the UL/PLATO Certification Program,” said Tyler Peterson, President of Coast Products. “At Coast, we’ve always believed that performance claims should be backed by verifiable data. This approval underscores that commitment and reinforces our promise to deliver products that perform as we say they do.”

By certifying to the ANSI/PLATO FL 1–2019 Standard, manufacturers help ensure that brightness, beam distance, and runtime metrics are measured and reported consistently— giving retailers and consumers greater confidence in what’s printed on product
packaging. “Coast’s leadership in meeting the lab requirements sets a new benchmark for accountability and integrity in the market,” ​said Skoogman. “PLATO applauds Coast for taking this important step and for helping to advance the credibility of
performance claims across our industry.”

The UL/PLATO Certification Program, first introduced in 2022, enables participating manufacturers to use the UL Certified Enhanced Mark on qualified products and
literature. Certified performance data will be published in the UL Product iQ™ searchable directory, giving retailers, procurement officials, and end users direct access
to verified product information.

Through the program, PLATO and UL Solutions continue their shared commitment to:
● Promote fair competition and accuracy in product performance claims.
● Support manufacturers who invest in testing, compliance, and consumer trust.
● Provide end users with clear, reliable information when purchasing portable
lights.
“Our goal is simple — to raise the bar for quality and accountability in the portable lighting industry,” said Skoogman, who noted that manufacturers do not have to
be PLATO members to earn the certification. “The UL/PLATO Certification Program gives manufacturers a way to prove their performance claims, and it gives consumers a way to trust them.”

About the UL/PLATO Certification Program
The UL/PLATO Certification Program (UL S8001) is a collaborative initiative between UL Solutions and the Portable Lights American Trade Organization (PLATO) that verifies product performance for portable lighting products. Based on the ANSI/PLATO FL 1–2019 Standard, the program establishes clear benchmarks for lumens, beam distance, and run time through independent, third-party testing and certification.

About PLATO
The Portable Lights American Trade Organization (PLATO) represents the leading manufacturers and distributors of portable lighting tools and technology in the United States​ and around the world. PLATO’s mission is to promote product performance
standards, ethical business practices, and consumer confidence through education, advocacy, and industry collaboration.

Learn more about the PLATO/UL Certification program and the ANSI/PLATO FL 1 - 2019 Standard at www.plato-usa.org.