ANSI/NEMA FL1 -standard

The ANSI/NEMA FL1 standard is a set of norms and guidelines for presenting technical specifications for portable lighting. These guidelines were developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).

"ANSI/NEMA FL1 – A standard developed to facilitate comparison of portable lighting."

Why?

The standards make it easier to compare different light sources in flashlights, headlamps, and other portable lighting. This provides a fairer and clearer picture of what a lamp can actually achieve.

How?

Measurement values must be specified based on the lamp's performance with the included battery. If no battery is included, the specifications should apply to the recommended batteries.

Luminous flux – the total amount of visible light

Luminous flux is the total amount of light energy emitted by a unit with new/fully charged batteries. The entire light beam is measured, meaning even a lamp with a very wide beam can achieve a high value. Measurements are taken 30–120 seconds after activation.

Luminous flux is measured in lumens. Lumen measures the amount of energy within the frequency range perceived by the human eye. In simple terms, the higher the lumen value, the brighter the light. Valostore tests most lamps to verify the accuracy of manufacturers' markings. Test results from our light laboratory can be found in the product descriptions on our website.

Intensity – How strongly a light beam is focused

Measures the maximum beam intensity at a distance of one meter. Intensity is typically measured along the center axis of the beam and refers to the brightest point along the axis.

Measured in candela (cd) or lux @ 1m, this metric indicates how concentrated the beam is.

Higher candela = More focused and longer beam.
Lower candela = Wider floodlight effect.
This measure, combined with luminous flux, provides a more complete picture of a light source’s capacity—how much of the total light is focused in the right direction.

Beam Distance– How far a lamp illuminates

Beam distance measures how far the light reaches and is defined as the distance from the light source to the point where the light intensity drops to 0.25 lux. This is approximately the brightness of full moonlight on a clear night in an open field.

Measured in meters.
Lux = luminous flux per square meter. The larger the illuminated area, the lower the illuminance.

Runtime – Duration of usable light

Runtime is defined as the time it takes for the luminous flux to drop to 10% of its original maximum brightness when turned on with new or fully charged batteries.

Impact Resistance – Lamp durability

Impact resistance defines the height from which a product can be dropped onto a solid surface (concrete) without suffering damage that affects its functionality (i.e., it no longer lights up or its performance is significantly reduced). To pass, the unit must be dropped six times from different angles while remaining fully assembled, including all parts and batteries. Cosmetic damage, such as scratches, does not disqualify a product.

Water Resistance – A lamp’s protection against water

Water protection classification is based on the ANSI/IEC 6029 standard and defines three levels of enclosure protection.

• IPX4 (Water-Resistant) – Protects against splashes from any direction.
• IPX7 (Waterproof) – The device can be submerged in water temporarily under standard conditions for pressure and time without suffering damage.
• IPX8 (Pressure-Waterproof) – The lamp can be submerged in at least 1 meter of water for at least four hours without allowing water penetration.

More About ANSI/NEMA FL1

The ANSI/NEMA FL1 (Flashlight Basic Performance Standard) is the first international standard for portable lighting. For users, the standard simplifies comparison between different flashlights, hand lamps, and headlamps. It includes definitions and test methods for lamp performance and labeling. The standard was developed by NEMA in collaboration with ANSI.

Manufacturers such as Olight, Petzl, and LED Lenser, along with other leading brands, have adopted ANSI/NEMA FL1 standardized measurement methods. The standard represents a major step forward, making it easier for consumers to compare products and for manufacturers to benchmark their lighting solutions.