UL Listing Requirements

Underwriters Laboratories is the leading safety standard company in the US today. UL sets the safety standards for public safety and confidence and controls the quality of manufactured products. Companies wishing to use the UL certified label on their product must conform to the standards set forth by UL.

UL approval process

A company must first apply for UL certification. Then UL reviews the product to decide whether a manufactured product complies to the safety standards for that particular product category. For example, in the medical device industry, UL registers companies based on ISO 14971 standards. These standards relate to the use of labeling on medical devices, which are different because of the nature of the medical field. These standard are predetermined and published in the UL's standards for safety listings.

Marking and labeling program

This program reviews labels by examining how they perform at the end-user level. The labels are evaluated at four different areas, including printing materials used. The concern here is how well the labels hold up against the wear and tear they are likely exposed to. Labels are often exposed to heat, humidity or other things that can damage the labels. Labels for use under this category include those that are painted or enameled on metal. The program also measures the area for the labels where they are placed and considers the appearance of the labeling, especially legibility and placement.

Private labeling

Many products today are made by one manufacturer and sold under the label of another company. The rules for UL listing require companies to private label, and then the company must apply for the Multiple Listing Service before it can market the products as UL approved. This only applies to those product that have already secured UL approval through the original manufacturer. In the Multiple Listing Service application, both the private label company and the original manufacturer need to complete the form.

UL's safety requirements are quite thorough, so it is not surprising that they lead the country in setting and enforcing these standards and a system of labeling that works on all types of products and materials. Obtaining the UL label requires an application process in which UL (through a series of tests) decides whether or not the product is worthy of the UL label.