UL standards were created with national standards bodies in countries around the world to build a safer, more sustainable world. UL was one of the original standards bodies and one of the first companies at that time. A non-profit organization to develop standards through product safety and prevent fire shock and explosion. UL listing is known almost generically as the listing you need for the United States of America. However, as UL became a for-profit organization and more test labs popped up, there is some confusion about which labs can do your work at this point.  Nowadays there are nineteen labs that can provide you a listing or recognition or certification for your product to the UL standards.

This program generically is known as the nationally recognized test lab program, which is managed by OSHA.

The UL standards have merged with ANSI, the American National Standards Institute, and other industry-specific organizations so that the standards writing can be impartial now that UL is a for-profit organization.

You need a way to get your product listed, labeled, or recognized for the US and global markets and we will seek to find the most expedient process through that loop. Sometimes that process is to skip UL altogether and go with another laboratory. In other cases, it is most imperative to go with UL as that is your best path forward. We can help you to determine which is and get you there more quickly.

Which standards should I get listed to?

This link provides a list of the standards applicable for listing within the United States. Typically, Canada has a partner standard that matches the standards such that getting approval for USA in Canada is fairly easy.

You will find a list of the Canadian standards here.

Also know that UL and other big labs will quote you very short times to certification. Understand that most big labs will take a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks to get you a quote, another 2 to 3 weeks to get you scheduled, and at least 6 to 12 weeks through the process. That is 12 to 18 weeks for the full process to be completed. Yes of course if you already have a quote and you’re already scheduled, then don’t worry about so long as your equipment fully 100% complies yet all the documentation labels background, pretesting details and everything else they need you might actually be able to get your product done in less than six weeks. Just realize that there are a lot of people involved when you go to a big company. It takes a lot longer to get stuff done. Also remember that a lot of the big labs have limited their project managers, so will fall to you or someone on your team to manage the project. Let us take that full load off and get your project done for you in a reasonable amount of time with a known outcome.