What is UL Listed?

You’ve probably seen a little black logo on a home appliance, electrical device, or industrial equipment with the letters “UL”. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a global safety organization headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, that sets safety standards and provides product testing for companies in over 100 countries. Founded by an electrical engineer named William Henry Merrill in 1894, UL has evolved from its roots in electrical and fire safety to areas such as hazardous substances, food quality, and environmental sustainability.

The UL Listed Status

UL testing ensures a product meets the claims a manufacturer makes regarding the function, safety or protection level of that product. Extensive testing is involved in obtaining a UL Listed certification. As such, products that hold a UL Listed status are considered superior in quality to those that do not. As part of the UL process for certification, a manufacturer must follow a specific set of guidelines for testing and agree to routine monitoring and follow-up. Manufacturers receive unannounced visits from UL, which then re-evaluate UL-listed products to determine if they are still meeting UL requirements. If a product is found to no longer satisfy the requirements, the listing is suspended.

Why UL Listed Certification is Important

When it comes to electrical safety in the US, UL is the gold standard. Since UL is a nonprofit organization with no financial interest in the products they evaluate, consumers can be confident that their approval is a true indication of a product’s operational safety. Upon certification, products are granted permission to use UL’s markings. A UL Listing illustrates a manufacturer’s due diligence and commitment to meeting and exceeding industry standards.

Are you in need of a UL-listed enclosure for a UL product? Polycase offers over 200 variations of UL-listed enclosures for commercial and industrial applications.

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