UL Listed: Why Does It Matter?

Have you ever noticed the logo printed on your purchased products? Do you know what it represents? Are you unsure what certification you need when buying products? Many products are marked with UL-listed certification. UL is highly recognizable as a mark of approval for safety and reliability. Understanding this certification and its benefits can help you make informed decisions before purchasing.

What Does UL-listed Stand for?

UL, short for Underwriters Laboratories, was established in 1894 by William Henry Merrill Jr. and was known as UL throughout the 20th century. UL is a third-party organization that initially tested for fire and electrical safety, establishing an industry standard for different products. The company today expands its services to products, personnel, processes, and systems. In general, it is an electrical testing company that establishes the standard of safety and functionality. UL tests electrical devices in both the United States and Canada. UL is not the only company to test products, but it’s one of the most well-known certifications. 

So, what is UL listed? UL can often be seen on electrical devices. It means that products can meet specific functions and requirements defined by Underwriters Laboratories. UL Listed products undergo strict tests for many aspects, such as structural integrity under extreme environments and fire protection rating, mechanical function, and potential electrical hazards. A UL-listed product is proven to provide maximum safety and great design.

UL-listed vs. UL-recognized

UL-listed and UL-recognized are two different concepts and they have different meanings. There are various UL certification marks, for example, the United States and Canada provide mutual recognition of each other's certifications. If a product is certified by Canadian standards, the product will be the C-UL mark.

• UL-listed: “UL-listed” products refer to those stand-alone products that can perform specific functions with strict testing for end They are usually used for complete products like external power adapters. UL-listed products undergo strict testing to ensure that they are free from foreseeable risk of electric shock or fire hazard.
• UL-recognized: “UL-recognized” is used for components that cannot be used alone for end users. However, these components are important for a large-scale system. For example, circuit boards, switches, and power supplies are usually UL-recognized instead of UL-listed. UL-recognized is generally used for factories and you should ensure that the product is free from chemicals and liquids during installation as the equipment may not be well housed.

Is UL Certification Important?

UL is not only important for manufacturers to sell their products but also crucial for customers to ensure the product quality. UL certification may be challenging to get but it can be your future-proof choice. They offer the following benefits:

1. Utmost Safety

The UL certification ensures that the product has undergone rigid testing in severe environments to ensure they are safe to use. They are usually electrical and flame retardant or chemical resistant.

2. High Performance

UL also provides scientific testing for products’ quality and performance. For example, it ensures the product’s durability and longevity.  

3. Reliability  

UL certification can be more reliable and consistent than other safety certifications as it has a reputation. It is a non-profit organization aiming to customers’ safety.

UL-listed in Networking

UL certification is also very crucial for network products. UL-94V flammability tests are often used for Ethernet cables, RJ45 connectors, keystone jacks, and inline couplers. Below is a chart of UL-94V ratings.

What About CE Certification?

Besides UL certification, CE certification is also seen on some products. Let’s delve into this certification in the following content.

CE is the abbreviation of Conformité Européenne, which means European Conformity in English. The CE mark certifies that the products meet European health, safety, and environmental standards. CE-certified products can be sold freely anywhere in the European Economic Area (EEA) market.

Summary

UL certification plays an important role in protecting consumers’ safety. A safety certificate will give you peace of mind when using a product. Hopefully, you can understand the meaning of UL after reading this blog.

For more information on this topic, you can keep up on our blogs. While VCELINK offers general and basic information for our customers and other visitors to the website, it’s not professional advice.