Comparison between UL marking and CE marking

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.

Frequently asked questions

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. It was founded in 1894 as Underwriters Electrical Bureau, which was established in the 20th century. Century became known as Underwriters Laboratories and was involved in the safety analysis of many new technologies.

UL is one of several companies approved by the US Federal Agency for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) to conduct safety audits. OSHA maintains a list of testing laboratories known as "Nationally Recognized Laboratories".

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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. On January 1, 2012, Underwriters Laboratories in the United States was transformed from a nonprofit into a nonprofit. A new subsidiary, UL LLC, a limited company, took over the product testing and certification activities of Underwriters Laboratories.

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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). UL certification gives a product credibility and security by establishing that it is considered effective and safe for the public by testing these products against the strict standards of OSHA and ANSI.

In addition to product safety testing, UL also sets industry standards that companies must adhere to when developing new products. UL continuously tests products to ensure they meet standards and are properly designed for maximum safety. For example, UL testing ensures that the devices can handle the correct current and that the cable sizes are correct. Although UL tests some products itself, the organization also allows manufacturers to test products with the UL seal themselves. UL then regularly checks whether manufacturers are testing their products and whether the relevant guidelines are complied with. The UL certification is therefore attractive for many

UL-certified devices fall into the following

  • IT
  • Devices
  • Cables and wires
  • Signaling of alarms
  • Electronic equipment
  • Electrical components
  • Equipment used in hazardous areas
  • Equipment for fire fighting and fire protection
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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. A tested product shows that the device complies with the UL safety standard.

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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.

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What UL certifications are offered?

UL provides comprehensive services for certifying personnel, products, equipment, processes and systems in accordance with applicable standards and requirements. They help identify and close regulatory gaps, confirm regulatory compliance and maintain certifications. UL helps maintain best practices across the organization and value chain.

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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. The range of facility certifications includes digital security services, food safety and supplier audits, as well as medical device and fixture testing.

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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.

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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. They can help identify and close regulatory gaps, confirm compliance, and maintain best practices across the enterprise/organization and across the value chain.

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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. Bring all products to market more efficiently and differentiate them on crowded shelves with a certification from the leading safety scientist.

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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. However, the merger can lead to unexpected challenges. System certification allows you to minimize risk and protect your brand’s reputation by evaluating a range of products and processes, both individually and as a whole, to identify and resolve potential problems before they occur.

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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). Most UL Product Certification Bodies (or UL Product Certifiers) are accredited or adapted to ISO / IEC 17065.

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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. Underwriters Laboratories develops and publishes consensus standards that determine the safety, performance and sustainability of new and evolving technologies and services to provide solutions to the industry, from household appliances to smoke detectors to batteries, environment, cybersecurity and building materials.

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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. UL verification is a popular solution to meet these.

The importance of the UL mark to the user is that it proves that the product meets the essential safety requirements assessed by an independent body. The UL mark does not mean that the product meets a specific standard for performance or reliability - the focus is on safety.

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What characteristics can be expected from a UL marked product?

A user of UL-listed devices can expect:

  1. Acceptance by most testing centers in the United States.
  2. Materials and components are used to their maximum limits.
  3. Continuous compliance with assembly line regulations through regular UL factory inspections.
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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).

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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. However, the standards for the CE mark are generally different from those used by UL.

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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. Likewise, CE marked products are not automatically UL listed and compliant. This is partly because some types of products with the CE mark do not need to be certified by third parties and do not necessarily comply with US standards.

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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. The key to compliance is working closely with the relevant local authority to ensure that you are aware of the regulations applicable to each location. However, since many local safety and environmental regulations in the US refer to UL safety standards, manufacturers often pay attention to the UL mark to ensure that the product complies with as many regulations as possible.

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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). Once UL has verified that the product is safe and complies with OSHA and ANSI standards, UL will issue a certificate to the product manufacturer confirming and allowing the UL logo to be applied to all manufactured products. From time to time, audits are performed by UL field staff to ensure that the manufacturer of the certified product complies with all relevant guidelines and complies with UL standards.

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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.

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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.

The CE mark is only intended for the EEA and takes into account harmonised European product safety standards. CE is a self-certification system for many products in which a manufacturer declares compliance with the applicable EN standard itself. An independent verification by a notified body only takes place for special products. In addition, no factory inspections are required.

The US UL mark, on the other hand, indicates product certification under the applicable UL standard, a standard written for products installed under the US National Electric Code (NEC), with a system of conformity, requiring the use of an accredited third-party laboratory with ongoing unannounced factory inspections. The UL certification includes a mandatory third-party program where only an OSHA-accredited National Recognized Test Laboratory (NRTL) can issue a UL certification. With UL certification, once a product has been classified as compliant, it undergoes regular unannounced factory inspections to ensure that the product continues to meet applicable UL product safety standards.

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