Underwriter Laboratories-safety Certification
History of UL
William Henry Merrill, Jr. founds the Underwriters Electrical Bureau, later known as the Electrical Bureau of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Although the organization experiences several name changes throughout its history, its mission to promote safe living and working environments for people remains constant and unchanged. On March 24, 1894, the bureau conducts its first test on non-combustible insulation.
What is UL?
Underwriter Laboratories (UL) is one of the oldest safety certification companies around. They certify products, facilities, processes or systems based on industry-wide standards. By doing so, they issue over twenty different UL Certifications for a wide-range of categories. Certain UL Marks are country specific and will never be used or seen in the United States and vice versa. They break up their certification into being listed, recognized, or classified.
- UL Listed Service is given to manufacturers that produce products that meet UL’s standards and gives the manufacturer authorization to test products and apply the UL mark themselves.
- UL Recognized Service is applied to products used to produce another product, which indicates that it is safe to use in further production and it is not a mark that is seen on an end product.
- UL Classification Service can be placed on products by a manufacturer that makes products that comply with UL’s standards and maintains follow-up with UL to ensure quality and accuracy.
Why Is UL important?
Obtaining UL Certification is important because it demonstrates manufacturers and service providers competency. Consumers want to know the company they hire to install their equipment is qualified to do the job right, and that they take the time to ensure that all of the products they install are tested and meet safety standards. UL Certification also shows that a company meets all local and federal safety and environmental regulations. You can rest assured knowing that your employees and customers are safe.
Benefits
Superior Track Record
Product Safety, which include electrical safety, fire safety, mechanical safety. Ongoing Third Party Verification. Non Profit Organization.