What is the UL approval?

Underwriters’ Laboratories, or UL as it is universally known, tests and evaluates components and products that allows a certification mark to be placed by the manufacturer. Most common are the “UL Listed” and “UL Recognized” marks.

Is UL approval necessary?

There is no law in the U.S. requiring UL certification. But commercial building and electrical codes as well as retailers may require it. And if you produce a product designed to meet specific safety criteria or it might pose a safety risk, you definitely need testing.

What is meant by UL compliant?

UL Listing means that UL has tested representative samples of a product and determined that the product meets specific, defined requirements. These requirements are often based on UL’s published and nationally recognized Standards for Safety.

What does UL classification mean?

If a product is Classified by UL, this can mean its testing meets the particular requirements for a single test with a published result, but has nothing to do with all the other tests that may form part of a Standard (i.e., UL 181).

Why do we need UL certification?

UL Certification allows a company to innovate its safety standards and align themselves with industry-wide best practices. Being UL certified illustrates a businesses’ dedication to consumer safety, as well as the quality of their products.

What if a product is not UL listed?

Just because a product is not UL recognized and tested doesn’t mean it’s going to spontaneously combust. It simply means that its performance and safety haven’t been tested independently and verified to meet those safety standards.

Does all equipment need to be UL listed?

Having a UL listed certified unit is not legally required. It is, however, a common practice because many large companies will only buy equipment that has passed the UL safety tests.

How do I know if something is UL approved?

Straight from the Underwriters Laboratories’ help page, here is what you need to look for when identifying a proper UL label:

  • Look for the UL trademark!
  • Right under the UL trademark, the word LISTED or CLASSIFIED will appear in all capital letters.
  • Under LISTED/CLASSIFIED you will find what the product is.

What is CE and UL certification?

The letters CE means that the product meets the European Union’s safety standards and other requirements for sale. UL means the product meets the standards of Underwriters Laboratories, a private safety testing organization, and FCC means the product meets the standards of the Federal Communications Commission.

Is UL listed the same as UL approved?

UL refers to Underwriter Laboratories, which is a third-party certification company. There is no general UL approval category. Instead, products can either be UL certified, listed, recognized, classified or performance verified.