Comparison between UL marking and CE marking
The UL marking from Underwriters Laboratories confirms the safety standards for electrical equipment in the USA. In contrast, the CE marking stands for compliance with EU standards and is required for the European market. UL subjects products to a comprehensive testing process, while CE marking relies more on the manufacturer’s self-certification. Both certifications serve consumer protection and trade promotion, but depending on the geographic market and product requirements.
Q&A
What are the Underwriter Laboratories and the UL marking?
UL, LLC is a global security certification company headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois. It has offices in 46 different countries.
How is UL organized?
UL has grown into an organization with 64 laboratories, testing and certification bodies serving customers in 125 countries. The company has evolved from its origins in electrical and fire safety and now addresses broader safety issues such as hazardous substances, water quality, food safety, performance testing, safety training and safetyconformity and environmental sustainability.
What is UL certification?
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is responsible for the accreditation of consumer goods according to the criteria of major consumer protection organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Is UL certification mandatory in the United States?
In the USA it is not required by law to certify a product according to UL. However, it is a common practice as many manufacturers and consumers only buy equipment that has passed a UL safety test.
What services does Underwriter Laboratories offer?
Underwriter Laboratories offers UL certification and testing according to UL standards. In addition, additional services and digital applications are offered.
What UL certifications are offered?
UL provides comprehensive services for certifying personnel, products, equipment, processes and systems in accordance with applicable standards and requirements.
How does UL certification of facilities work?
UL is able to assess compliance with all applicable healthcare regulations and standards. UL can review plans, perform on-site assessments to verify installation compliance, perform critical testing for critical safety issues, and assess the performance of construction products and components.
How does the UL certification of personnel work?
In order to be able to certify the manufactured products themselves UL, companies must certify their personnel UL. Personnel certification helps practitioners acquire the real skills they need to perform their work safely and efficiently, based on standardized and industry-standard skills that businesses and consumers can trust.
How does UL certification of processes work?
In order to be able to certify the manufactured products themselves UL, companies must certify their processes UL. Process certification ensures that your business processes comply with applicable standards and requirements.
How does the UL certification of products work?
Product certifications show that the products have been tested in accordance with the applicable standards. UL’s recognized regulatory expertise gives the authorities and market the credibility they need.
How does the UL certification of systems work?
In order to be able to certify the manufactured products themselves UL, companies must certify their systems UL. Individual products or processes can work well if tested individually.
What is a UL product certification exam?
UL Product Certification or UL Product Qualification certifies that a particular product has passed UL Performance Tests and Quality Assurance Tests and meets the qualification criteria specified in contracts, regulations or specifications (sometimes referred to as "certification schemes" in the product certification industry).
What are UL standards?
Underwriters Laboratories is a standards organization that combines in-depth safety research, scientific expertise and stakeholder input to advance safety science leading to a safe living and working environment.
Are UL standards internationally recognized?
The UL mark on a product is not internationally recognized, and UL is known and recognized in the United States. There are also regulations in the USA that require the testing of electrical devices by a recognized body.
What characteristics can be expected from a UL marked product?
A user of UL-listed devices can expect:
- Acceptance by most testing centers in the United States.
Are UL standards also applicable in the EEA or are they accepted in the EU?
In the USA, the UL mark means that a product or material meets certain UL safety standards that have been tested. Although it is not required by law to use UL-certified products, most manufacturers in the USA choose UL-listed products to prevent possible liability problems (for example in the construction industry).
What is the difference between UL marking and CE marking?
There are some significant differences between UL listing and CE marking. In contrast to the UL listing in the USA, the CE marking is not optional in Europe - that is, the CE marking is mandatory.
Is a CE marking also a UL marking and vice versa?
A product that is already UL listed in the USA is not automatically qualified for the CE mark. A UL-listed product must be tested according to the applicable European directives, regulations and harmonized standards.
Are rules harmonised in the USA as well as in the EEA?
In the US, safety and environmental regulations can vary greatly depending on the state or region. For example, a UL-listed product can be compliant in one US city, but not in another.
How to obtain UL product certification?
First, the product information must be provided to UL and then a sample of the product to be tested must be submitted. Upon receipt of the product sample, UL will begin to assess the safety of the product to ensure that the product meets OSHA and ANSI standards (fees will be charged for testing performed by UL).
Who can issue UL certification?
UL certification can only be issued by accredited UL certification bodies (CBs). The certification bodies (CBs) operate independently, comply with ISO/IEC 17065 and are financed by the fees paid by customers.
What is the difference between UL and CE?
UL ≠ CE. The UL certification mark and the CE mark are very different programs for compliance that have little in common.