The UL enterprise[4] is a global safety science company headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, composed of three organizations, UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement and UL Solutions.
Established in 1894, the UL enterprise was founded as the Underwriters' Electrical Bureau (a bureau of the National Board of Fire Underwriters),[5] and was known throughout the 20th century as Underwriters Laboratories. On January 1, 2012, Underwriters Laboratories became the parent company of a for-profit company in the U.S. named UL LLC, a limited liability company, which took over the product testing and certification business. On June 26, 2022, the companies rebranded into three distinct organizations that make up the UL enterprise.
The company is one of several companies approved to perform safety testing by the U.S. federal agency Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).[6] OSHA maintains a list of approved testing laboratories, which are known as Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories.[7] According to Lifehacker, UL Solutions is the best known product safety and certification organization globally.[8]
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. was founded in 1894 by William Henry Merrill. After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in electrical engineering in 1889, Merrill went to work as an electrical inspector for the Boston Board of Fire Underwriters.[9] At the turn of the twentieth century, fire loss was on the rise in the United States, and the increasing use of electricity in homes and businesses posed a serious threat to property and human life.[10]
In order to determine and mitigate risk, Merrill proposed to open a laboratory where he would use scientific principles to test products for fire and electrical safety. The Boston Board of Fire Underwriters turned this idea down, perhaps due to Merrill's youth and relative inexperience at the time.
In May 1893, Merrill moved to Chicago to work for the Chicago Fire Underwriters' Association. His task was to inspect the city's fire alarm systems. He was also sent to the 1893 World's Fair to inspect the Fair's electrical installations and the Palace of Electricity. In order to determine and mitigate risk in his role as an electrical inspector, Merrill found it necessary to conduct tests on building materials and electrical components. Upon seeing a growing potential in this field, Merrill stayed in Chicago to found Underwriters Laboratories. He received initial funding from the Chicago Fire Underwriters' Association and the Western Insurance Union, a local insurance organization. With $350 of equipment, he opened a small laboratory on the third floor of a local fire insurance patrol station, signing UL's first test report on March 24, 1894.[11]
Merrill soon went to work on developing safety standards, conducting tests, and uncovering hazards. In the early years, UL tested three main types of products: devices meant to stop fire (such as fire extinguishers), devices meant to resist fire (such as fire doors), and devices that frequently caused fire (like wires used for electrical installations).[12] This work soon expanded, and throughout the twentieth century, UL certified many pivotal consumer technologies, such as vacuum cleaners, televisions, microwaves, personal computers, and more.[13]
UL published its first standard, "Tin Clad Fire Doors", in 1903. In 1906, UL established a Label Service for certain product categories that require more frequent inspections. Products that passed UL's testing and regular inspections were given a UL label, which eventually evolved into the UL Mark. From 1905 to 1979, UL Headquarters was located at 207-231 East Ohio Street in Chicago.[14] In 1979, the organization moved its headquarters to a 153-acre campus in Northbrook, Illinois, 25 miles north of its former downtown Chicago location.
UL Solutions has evolved from its roots in electrical and fire safety to address broader safety issues, such as hazardous substances, water quality, food safety, performance testing, safety and compliance education, and environmental sustainability.
On January 1, 2012, Underwriters Laboratories became the parent company of a for-profit company in the U.S named UL LLC, a limited liability corporation. The for-profit company took over the product testing and certification business.
Underwriters' Laboratories, 207-231 East Ohio Street, Chicago
In 2022, the company revised their go-to-market strategy to include three separate organizations - UL Solutions, UL Standards & Engagement, and UL Research Institutes.[15]
UL Solutions became a public company via an initial public offering in April 2024 raising around $950million, valuing the company at about $7billion. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.[2][1]
UL 106, Standard for Sustainability for Luminaires (under development)
UL 110, Standard for Sustainability for Mobile Phones
Standards for Electrical and Electronic Products
UL 50, Enclosures for Electrical Equipment
UL 50E, Enclosures for Electrical Equipment, Environmental Considerations
UL 153, Portable Electric Lamps
UL 197, Commercial Electrical Cooking Appliances
UL 244B, Field Installed and/or Field Connected Appliance Controls
UL 410, Slip Resistance of Floor Surface Materials
UL 796, Printed-Wiring Boards
UL 916, Energy Management Equipment
UL 962, Household and Commercial Furnishings
UL 962A, Furniture Power Distribution Units
UL 962B, Outline for Merchandise Display and Rack Mounted Power Distribution Units
UL 970, Retail Fixtures and Merchandising Displays
UL 1026, Electric Household Cooking and Food Serving Appliances
UL 1083, Household Electric Skillets and Frying-Type Appliances
UL 1492, Audio/Video Products and Accessories
UL 1598, Luminaires
UL 1642, Lithium Batteries
UL 1995, Heating and Cooling Equipment
UL 2267 Standard for Safety - Fuel Cell Power Systems for Installation in Industrial Electric Trucks
UL 6500, Audio/Video and Musical Instrument Apparatuses for Household, Commercial and Similar General Uses
UL 60065, Audio, Video and Similar Electronic Apparatuses: Safety Requirements
UL 60335-1, Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 1: General Requirements
UL 60335-2-24, Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Motor Compressors
UL 60335-2-3, Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Electric Irons
UL 60335-2-34, Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Motor Compressors
UL 60335-2-8, Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2: Particular Requirements for Shavers, Hair Clippers and Similar Appliances
UL 60950, Information Technology Equipment
UL 60950-1, Information Technology Equipment – Safety, Part 1: General Requirements
UL 60950-21, Information Technology Equipment – Safety, Part 21: Remote Power Feeding
UL 60950-22, Information Technology Equipment – Safety, Part 22: Equipment to be Installed Outdoors
UL 60950-23, Information Technology Equipment – Safety, Part 23: Large Data Storage Equipment
UL 61010-1, Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment For Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use; Part 1: General Requirements
UL 62368-1, Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment – Part 1: Safety Requirements
Life Safety Standards
UL 217, Single- and Multiple- Station Smoke Alarms
UL 268, Smoke Detectors for Fire Protective Signaling Systems
UL 268A, Smoke Detectors for Duct Application
UL 1626, Residential Sprinklers for Fire Protection Service
UL 1971, Signaling Devices for the Hearing Impaired
Standards for Building Products
UL 10A, Tin-Clad Fire Doors
UL 20, General-Use Snap Switches
UL 486E, Equipment Wiring Terminals for Use with Aluminum and/or Copper Conductors
UL 1256, Fire Test of Roof/Deck Constructions
Standards for Industrial Control Equipment
UL 508, Industrial Control Equipment, superseded by UL 60947-4-1[16]
UL 508A, Industrial Control Panels
UL 508C, Power Conversion Equipment, superseded by UL 61800-5-1[17]
UL 61800-5-1, Adjustable Speed Electrical Power Drive Systems
Standards for Plastic Materials
UL 94, Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances
UL 746A, Polymeric Materials: Short-Term Property Evaluations
UL 746B, Polymeric Materials: Long-Term Property Evaluations
UL 746C, Polymeric Materials: Use in Electrical Equipment Evaluations.
UL 746D, Polymeric Materials: Fabricated Parts
UL 746E, Polymeric Materials: Industrial Laminates, Filament Wound Tubing, Vulcanized Fiber and Materials Used in Printed-Wiring Boards
UL 746F, Polymeric Materials: Flexible Dielectric Film Materials for Use in Printed-Wiring Boards and Flexible Materials Interconnect Constructions
Standards for Wire and Cable
UL 62, Flexible Cords and Cables
UL 758, Appliance Wiring Material (AWM)[18]
UL 817, Cord Sets and Power Supply Cords
UL 2556, Wire and Cable Test Methods
Standards for Alarm Systems, Installation, and Monitoring[19]
UL 294, Access Control System Units (ANSI Approved: May 24, 2023)[20]
UL 365, Standard for Police Station Connected Burglar Alarm Units and Systems (ANSI Approved: January 31, 2018)[21]
UL 464, Audible Signaling Devices for Fire Alarm and Signaling Systems, Including Accessories (ANSI Approved: April 28, 2023)[22]
UL 497, Protectors for Paired-Conductor Communications Circuits (ANSI Approved: July 25, 2022)[23]
UL 497A, Standard for Secondary Protectors for Communications Circuit (ANSI Approved: October 01, 2019)[24]
UL 497B, Protectors for Data Communications and Fire-Alarm Circuits (ANSI Approved: February 07, 2022)[25]
UL 603, Standard for Power Supplies for Use with Burglar-Alarm Systems (ANSI Approved: July 06, 2018)[26]
UL 609, Standard for Local Burglar Alarm Units and Systems (ANSI Approved: March 09, 2018)[27]
UL 636, Standard for Holdup Alarm Units and Systems (DOD Approved: July 30, 1987, ANSI Approved: January 30, 2018)[28]
UL 639, Standard for Intrusion-Detection Units (ANSI Approved: October 24, 2019)[29]
UL 681, Installation and Classification of Burglar and Holdup Alarm Systems (DOD Approved: January 02, 1992, ANSI Approved: December 17, 2020)[30]
UL 827, Central-Station Alarm Services (ANSI Approved: October 19, 2023)[31]
UL 827A, UL LLC Outline of Investigation for Hosted Central Station Services [32]
UL 864, Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems (ANSI Approved: October 09, 2023)[33]
UL 985, Household Fire Warning System Units (ANSI Approved: October 07, 2022)[34]
UL 1023, Household Burglar-Alarm System Units (ANSI Approved: May 20, 2021)[35]
UL 1034, Standard for Burglary-Resistant Electric Locking Mechanisms (ANSI Approved: June 03, 2020)[36]
UL 1037, Antitheft Alarms and Devices (ANSI Approved: August 24, 2023)[37]
UL 1076, Proprietary Burglar Alarm Units and Systems (DOD Approved: April 09, 1992, ANSI Approved: February 16, 2021)[38][39]
UL 1481, Standard for Power Supplies for Fire-Protective Signaling Systems[40]
UL 1610, Central-Station Burglar-Alarm Units[41]
UL 1635, Standard for Digital Alarm Communicator System Units (ANSI Approved: April 13, 2018)[42]
UL 1981, Central-Station Automation Systems (ANSI Approved: March 29, 2023)[43]
UL 2050, National Industrial Security Systems (Revised: November 07, 2010)[44]
UL 2610, Commercial Premises Security Alarm Units and Systems (ANSI Approved: April 07, 2021)[45]
UL 2900-1, Software Cybersecurity for Network-Connectable Products, Part 1: General Requirements (ANSI Approved: April 14, 2023)[46]
UL 2900-2-3, Software Cybersecurity for Network-Connectable Products, Part 2-3: Particular Requirements for Security and Life Safety Signaling Systems (ANSI Approved: September 21, 2023)[47]
UL Solutions of Canada
A certification logo for the Canadian division of UL Solutions
CAN/ULC-S101-07, Standard Methods for Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials
CAN/ULC-S102-10, Standard Methods of Test for Surface-Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies
CAN/ULC-S102.2-10, Standard Methods of Test for Surface-Burning Characteristics of Flooring, Floor Coverings, and Miscellaneous Materials and Assemblies
CAN/ULC-S104-10, Standard Methods for Fire Tests of Door Assemblies
CAN/ULC-S107-10, Standard Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings
CAN/ULC-S303-M91 (R1999), Standard Methods for Local Burglar Alarm Units and Systems[48]
Photovoltaic
UL 1703, Photovoltaic Flat-Plate Modules
UL 1741, Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources
UL 2703, Rack Mounting Systems and Clamping Devices for Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels
Recognized Component Mark
The Recognized Component MarkThe Recognized Component Mark (left) on a printed circuit board
The Recognized Component Mark is a type of safety certification mark issued by UL Solutions. It is placed on components which are intended to be part of a UL certified end product, but which cannot bear the full UL Mark themselves.[49] The general public does not ordinarily come across it, as it is borne on components which make up finished products.
Computer benchmarking
UL offers[50] the following computer benchmarking products:[51]
^ a bJain, Pratik; Saini, Manya (2024-04-12). "UL Solutions valued at $6.8 bln in strong debut on NYSE". Reuters.
^ a b cLipschultz, Bailey; Or, Amy (2024-04-12). "Safety Firm UL Solutions Jumps 23% After $946 Million IPO". Bloomberg News.
^"Entity change to UL LLC Letter" (PDF). Pbadupws.nrc.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-05.
^Solutions, UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement and UL (27 June 2022). "UL Enterprise Launches New Brands". WFMZ.com. Retrieved 2022-08-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Yuko, Elizabeth (2022-06-11). "What 'UL Listed' Means on Electronics, and Why You Should Look for It". Lifehacker. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
^Engineering Progress: The Revolution and Evolution of Working for a Safer World. UL. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
^Knowles, Scott (2011). “Chapter 1: The Devil’s Privilege.” The Disaster Experts: Mastering Risk in Modern America. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press, pp. 21-61.
^Brearley, Harry Chase (1923). “Chapter 4: The Genesis of Underwriters’ Laboratories.” A Symbol of Safety: An Interpretive Study of a Notable Institution. Doubleday, pp. 17-23.
^Rathom, John R. (1902-11-23). “Where Fire-Defying Inventions Are Tested.” The Sunday Record-Herald. Chicago.
^“About UL: History.” UL. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
^“Underwriters' Laboratories, 207-231 East Ohio Street, Chicago, Cook County, IL.” Historic American Buildings Survey, Engineering Record, Landscapes Survey, Library of Congress. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
^"We are Three Organizations United by One Mission". UL Solutions. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
^"UL 508 Standard Has Been Replaced and Superseded by the UL 60947-4-1 Standard". rockwellautomation.custhelp.com. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
^"Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions About UL 508C to UL 61800-5-1 for Motor Drives". ul.com. UL Solutions. April 24, 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
^"Wire and Cable Explained" (PDF). UL. July 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
^UL 2610 Commercial Premises Security Alarm Units and Systems (2nd ed.). ULSE Inc. January 31, 2023. pp. br1, 180–181.
^"UL 294 Access Control System Units". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 365 Standard for Police Station Connected Burglar Alarm Units and Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 464 Audible Signaling Devices for Fire Alarm and Signaling Systems, Including Accessories". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 497, Protectors for Paired-Conductor Communications Circuits". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 497A, Standard for Secondary Protectors for Communications Circuit". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 497B, Protectors for Data Communications and Fire-Alarm Circuits". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 603 Standard for Power Supplies for Use with Burglar-Alarm Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 609 Standard for Local Burglar Alarm Units and Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 636 Standard for Holdup Alarm Units and Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 639 Standard for Intrusion-Detection Units". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 681 Installation and Classification of Burglar and Holdup Alarm Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 827 Central-Station Alarm Services". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 827A UL LLC Outline of Investigation for Hosted Central Station Services". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 864 Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 985 Household Fire Warning System Units". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 1023 Household Burglar-Alarm System Units". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 1034, Standard for Burglary-Resistant Electric Locking Mechanisms". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 1037, Antitheft Alarms and Devices". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 1076 Proprietary Burglar Alarm Units and Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^Director of Central Intelligence Directive No. 6/9 (PDF). Director of Central Intelligence. 18 November 2002.
^"UL 1481, Standard for Power Supplies for Fire-Protective Signaling Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online . UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 1610 Central-Station Burglar-Alarm Units". Purchase UL Standards Online . UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 1635 Standard for Digital Alarm Communicator System Units". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 1981 Central-Station Automation Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 2050, National Industrial Security Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 30 Apr 2024.
^"UL 2610 Commercial Premises Security Alarm Units and Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 2900-1, Software Cybersecurity for Network-Connectable Products, Part 1: General Requirements". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL 2900-2-3, Software Cybersecurity for Network-Connectable Products, Part 2-3: Particular Requirements for Security and Life Safety Signaling Systems". Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"UL's Standards for Safety: Standards Catalog". ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2002. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
^"Marks for North America". UL. Retrieved 2017-03-05.
^"Benchmarks and Performance Tests".
^"UL Benchmarks - PCMark, 3DMark, and VRMark".
External links
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