BIC EZ LOAD Lighter Recognized as 2025 Product of the Year USA Award Winner
40,000 American Shoppers Voted BIC EZ Load Multi-Purpose Lighter as Most Innovative Product in the Outdoor Living Category of 2025
Shelton, Conn. – February 13, 2024 – BIC’s first innovation in the multi-purpose lighter category in over 15 years, BIC EZ LOAD Multi-Purpose Lighter has been recognized as a winner of the 2025 Product of the Year USA Awards. Determined through a national study of 40,000 American shoppers in partnership with Kantar, a global leader in consumer research, Product of the Year is the largest consumer-voted awards program centered around product innovation, and BIC EZ LOAD Lighter is awarded the highly acclaimed honor of the best product within the Outdoor Living Category.
Renowned as a globally established seal of approval, Product of the Year has operated for 17 years in the United States, and over 30 years globally, supporting shoppers as a trusted guide to the best new products on the market, both online and in-store. With the level of products on the market evolving rapidly, consumers often find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer variety and innovation available. The distinctive Product of the Year red seal serves as a beacon to help consumers cut through the masses of products on shelves to locate the best new products that demonstrate innovation in their function, design, packaging, or ingredients. The credential also serves as a valuable marketing tool for brands to build overall awareness and drive purchase interest within their respective spaces.
“In a highly crowded and dynamic marketplace, Product of the Year plays a crucial role in linking consumers with the latest innovative products across various industries including food, beverage, personal care, pet care, household, and more," said Mike Nolan, Global CEO of Product of the Year Management. “We’re thrilled to celebrate BIC EZ LOAD Lighter as a 2025 Product of the Year Award Winner, voted on by 40,000 Americans for the unique value, quality, and innovation it brings to households nationwide.”
The first reloadable lighter in BIC’s extensive portfolio, BIC EZ LOAD is BIC’s first innovation in the multi-purpose lighter category in over 15 years. BIC EZ LOAD Lighters offer a simple, intuitive solution for consumers who want to extend the longevity of their lighter. Providing up to 15,000 lights*, the BIC EZ LOAD Lighter conveniently reloads up to 10 times with BIC Maxi Pocket Lighters. BIC EZ LOAD Lighter represents a milestone in BIC's legacy of safety-first innovation, ushering in a new era for the multi-purpose lighter category. *based on reloading BIC EZ LOAD Multi-Purpose Lighter up to 10x with BIC Maxi Pocket Lighter.
“As a global leader in lighters since 1973, it’s an honor to have our innovative BIC EZ LOAD Lighter endorsed by Product of the Year as a 2025 winner for the Outdoor Living Category,” said Jeany Mui, marketing director, BIC Flame for Life. “We’re excited to use the widely recognized and credible Product of the Year seal to guide shoppers towards a choice that 40,000 real consumers have found reliable and innovative.”
On February 6th, the complete list of 42 2025 Product of the Year Awards winners was revealed at the annual Product of the Year Awards Event held at Tribeca 360° in New York City. The celebration packed in a night full of entertainment, with Saturday Night Live alums, Rachel Dratch and Alex Moffat, hosting the show.
In tandem with the winner announcement, BIC EZ LOAD is currently featured in a shoppable article on PEOPLE Online created in partnership with Dotdash Meredith, the largest digital and print publisher in America. Ensemble IQ, a premier business intelligence resource with revered publications, including Path To Purchase, Progressive Grocer, Store Brands, Drug Store News and Convenience Store News has also published the news of the 2025 winners in their respective categories.
For further information about BIC EZ LOAD visit bic.com. Additional details on the full list of 2025 Product of the Year Winners, and a chance to win a selection of the winning products, can be found at productoftheyearusa.com, along with on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) at #POYUSA2025.
About BIC
A global leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, BIC brings simplicity and joy to everyday life. For 80 years, BIC’s commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable, and trusted products has established BIC as a symbol of reliability and innovation. With a presence in over 160 countries, and over 13,000 team members worldwide, BIC’s portfolio includes iconic brands and products such as BIC® 4-Color™, BodyMark®, Cello®, Cristal®, Inkbox®, BIC Kids®, Lucky™, Rocketbook®, Tattly®, Tipp-Ex®, Wite-Out®, Djeep®, EZ LOAD™, EZ Reach®, BIC® Flex™, Soleil®, Tangle Teezer® and more. Listed on Euronext Paris and included in the SBF120 and CAC Mid 60 indexes, BIC is also recognized for its steadfast commitments to sustainability and education. For more, visit www.corporate.bic.com and to see BIC’s full range of products visit www.bic.com. Follow BIC on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
About Product of the Year:
Product of the Year is the largest consumer-voted award for product innovation. Established over 30 years ago, POY currently operates in over 40 countries with the same purpose: Guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation. Product of the Year winners are backed by the votes of 40,000 consumers in a national representative study conducted by research partner Kantar, a global leader in consumer research. The award is a powerful merchandising program for marketers proven to increase product sales, distribution, and awareness. Winning products are announced in February each year and receive the right to use the Product of the Year logo in marketing communications for two years. For more information, visit productoftheyearusa.com.
About Kantar:
Kantar is the world’s leading marketing data, insight and consultancy company. We know more about how people live, feel, shop, vote, watch and post worldwide than any other company. Working across the entire sales and marketing lifecycle, we help brands uncover growth in an extraordinary world. Kantar services over half of the Fortune 500 companies in 100 countries.
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