UL (safety organization) explained

UL Solutions Inc.
Former Name:Underwriters Laboratories, UL LLC
Type:Public
Successors:-->
Founder:William Henry Merrill
Founders:-->
Location City:Northbrook, Illinois
Location Country:U.S.
Area Served:125 countries
Key People:Jennifer Scanlon (President and CEO)
Revenue: US$2.68 billion (2023)[1]
Net Income: US$276 million (2023)[2]
Owners:-->
Num Employees:15,000+ (2024)
Parent:Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (non-profit)[3]
Subsid:Futuremark

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]

History

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.

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.

UL Standards

Sustainability Standards

Standards for Electrical and Electronic Products

Life Safety Standards

Standards for Building Products

Standards for Industrial Control Equipment

Standards for Plastic Materials

Standards for Wire and Cable

Standards for Alarm Systems, Installation, and Monitoring[19]

UL Solutions of Canada

Photovoltaic

Recognized Component Mark

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]

Similar organizations

Applied Research Laboratories (ARL)
  • A competing testing laboratory, based in Florida, U.S.
    Bureau Veritas
  • A competing test, inspection, and certification company.
    Baseefa
  • A similar organization in the United Kingdom.
    Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
  • A similar organization in Canada. Also serves as a competitive alternative for U.S. products.
    CCOE
  • Chief Controller of Explosives
    CEBEC
  • Testing laboratory, inspection, and certification company, based in Brussels, Belgium.
    DNV GL
  • A global testing laboratory, inspection, certification, marine class, and engineering organisation, headquartered in Høvik, Norway.
    Efectis
  • A similar organization in Europe, fire science expert, testing laboratory, and certification body.
    ETL SEMKO
  • A competing testing laboratory, part of Intertek; based in London, U.K.
    FM Approvals
  • A competing certification body, based in Rhode Island, U.S.
    ICC-ES
  • International Code Council Evaluation Services.
    IAPMO R&T
  • A competing certification body, based in Ontario, California, U.S.
    INERIS
  • Testing laboratory, inspection, and certification company, based in France.
    KFI
  • The Korea Fire Institute, a similar organization in Korea.
    MET Laboratories, Inc.
  • A competing testing laboratory, based in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.California, U.S.
    NTA Inc
  • A certification agency based in Nappanee, Indiana, U.S.CA and Tulsa, OK); Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China.
    Sira
  • A similar organization for the UK/Europe.
    GS
    Geprüfte Sicherheit
    TÜV
  • German and Austrian approvals organizations.

    See also

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. News: Jain . Pratik . Saini . Manya . 2024-04-12 . UL Solutions valued at $6.8 bln in strong debut on NYSE . Reuters.
    2. News: Lipschultz . Bailey . Or . Amy . 2024-04-12 . Safety Firm UL Solutions Jumps 23% After $946 Million IPO . Bloomberg News.
    3. Web site: Entity change to UL LLC Letter . Pbadupws.nrc.gov . 2017-03-05.
    4. Web site: Solutions . UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement and UL . UL Enterprise Launches New Brands . 2022-08-04 . WFMZ.com . 27 June 2022 . en.
    5. Web site: History . UL . 2017-03-05.
    6. Web site: Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories – Underwriters Laboratories Inc.. United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 9 March 2018.
    7. Web site: Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs) – Current List. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 9 March 2018.
    8. News: Yuko . Elizabeth . What 'UL Listed' Means on Electronics, and Why You Should Look for It . Lifehacker . 2022-06-11 . 2022-06-11 .
    9. Engineering Progress: The Revolution and Evolution of Working for a Safer World. UL. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
    10. 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.
    11. 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.
    12. Rathom, John R. (1902-11-23). “Where Fire-Defying Inventions Are Tested.” The Sunday Record-Herald. Chicago.
    13. “About UL: History.” UL. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
    14. “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.
    15. Web site: We are Three Organizations United by One Mission . 2022-07-26 . UL Solutions . en.
    16. Web site: UL 508 Standard Has Been Replaced and Superseded by the UL 60947-4-1 Standard . rockwellautomation.custhelp.com . 6 April 2023 . registration . en.
    17. Web site: Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions About UL 508C to UL 61800-5-1 for Motor Drives . ul.com . UL Solutions . 6 April 2023 . en . April 24, 2020.
    18. Web site: Wire and Cable Explained . UL . July 2008 . 8 February 2019.
    19. Book: UL 2610 Commercial Premises Security Alarm Units and Systems . January 31, 2023 . ULSE Inc. . br1,180-181 . 2nd.
    20. Web site: UL 294 Access Control System Units. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    21. Web site: UL 365 Standard for Police Station Connected Burglar Alarm Units and Systems . Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    22. Web site: UL 464 Audible Signaling Devices for Fire Alarm and Signaling Systems, Including Accessories. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    23. Web site: UL 497, Protectors for Paired-Conductor Communications Circuits. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    24. Web site: UL 497A, Standard for Secondary Protectors for Communications Circuit . Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    25. Web site: UL 497B, Protectors for Data Communications and Fire-Alarm Circuits. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    26. Web site: UL 603 Standard for Power Supplies for Use with Burglar-Alarm Systems . Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    27. Web site: UL 609 Standard for Local Burglar Alarm Units and Systems . Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    28. Web site: UL 636 Standard for Holdup Alarm Units and Systems . Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    29. Web site: UL 639 Standard for Intrusion-Detection Units. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    30. Web site: UL 681 Installation and Classification of Burglar and Holdup Alarm Systems. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    31. Web site: UL 827 Central-Station Alarm Services. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    32. Web site: UL 827A UL LLC Outline of Investigation for Hosted Central Station Services. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    33. Web site: UL 864 Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    34. Web site: UL 985 Household Fire Warning System Units. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    35. Web site: UL 1023 Household Burglar-Alarm System Units. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    36. Web site: UL 1034, Standard for Burglary-Resistant Electric Locking Mechanisms. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    37. Web site: UL 1037, Antitheft Alarms and Devices. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    38. Web site: UL 1076 Proprietary Burglar Alarm Units and Systems . Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    39. Book: Director of Central Intelligence Directive No. 6/9 . 18 November 2002 . Director of Central Intelligence .
    40. Web site: UL 1481, Standard for Power Supplies for Fire-Protective Signaling Systems. Purchase UL Standards Online . UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    41. Web site: UL 1610 Central-Station Burglar-Alarm Units . Purchase UL Standards Online . UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    42. Web site: UL 1635 Standard for Digital Alarm Communicator System Units . Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    43. Web site: UL 1981 Central-Station Automation Systems. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    44. Web site: UL 2050, National Industrial Security Systems. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 30 Apr 2024.
    45. Web site: UL 2610 Commercial Premises Security Alarm Units and Systems. Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    46. Web site: UL 2900-1, Software Cybersecurity for Network-Connectable Products, Part 1: General Requirements . Purchase UL Standards Online / UL Standards & Engagement . 13 May 2024.
    47. Web site: 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 . 13 May 2024.
    48. Web site: UL's Standards for Safety: Standards Catalog . ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com . 13 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20021105130017/http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com/catalog/stdscatframe.html . 5 November 2002 . dead.
    49. Web site: Marks for North America . UL . 2017-03-05.
    50. Web site: Benchmarks and Performance Tests .
    51. Web site: UL Benchmarks - PCMark, 3DMark, and VRMark .

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