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Further Information

New ANSI FL1 STANDARD

In August 2009 the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) published for the first time the ANSI FL 1 “Flashlight Basic Performance” Standard (developed by the Flashlight Standards Committee). Initially introduced for the United States it is on the way to become the first flashlight standard worldwide, with fixed definitions and testing methods for flashlight basic performance as well as associated marking.

The clearly defined test methods and marking rules will help retailers and consumers to gain a clearer understanding of the performance provided go hand in hand with the overall idea of the VARTA Flashlight Relaunch 2011. Therefore VARTA has adapted its way of measuring the flashlights’ performance to the new standard.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization that oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector: from acoustical devices to construction equipment, from dairy and livestock production to energy distribution, and many more. ANSI is also actively engaged in accrediting programs that assess conformance to standards – including globally-recognized cross-sector programs such as the ISO 9000 (quality) and ISO 14000 (environmental) management systems (Source ANSI www.ansi.org)

VARTA’s comparable features according to ANSI

Beam Range: According to ANSI at a minimum of 0.25 lux the beam range is measured as the distance between the flashlight and where the light beam is minimum 0.25 lux. With the relaunch 2011 VARTA adjusts its measuring method to this new standard. The VARTA beam range was previously measured at the distance where the light beam was minimum 1 lux. Older VARTA beam range information needs to be doubled to match the new ANSI Standard.
Runtime: Is defined as the time span between turning on the light and the moment it only produces 10% of the initial light output value. It is the battery lifetime of the flashlight in constant use without turning it off. VARTA has always measured to the 10% light output level, therefore, there are no changes to these measurements.
Total Light Output: Is measured in lumens. It is the total quantity of emitted light energy, considering the entire angular output of the flashlight.

With the Flashlight Relaunch 2011 VARTA will follow the ANSI Standard in any and all claims. Please be aware that only a true comparison is possible if other product follows the new standard as well.