{"id":12491,"date":"2022-12-12T18:25:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-12T17:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/b3v39j.myrdbx.io\/ul-wissen\/ul-blog\/the-importance-of-ul-in-the-united-states\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T18:53:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T16:53:52","slug":"the-importance-of-ul-in-the-united-states","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/krayer.de\/en\/ul-wissen\/ul-blog\/the-importance-of-ul-in-the-united-states\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of UL in the United States"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UL<\/strong> is an independent U.S. organization that tests products for compliance with safety requirements based on its own standards. UL is one of 19 government-recognized testing laboratories<\/strong> in the United States (Nationally Recognized Test Laboratory<\/em><\/a>). But what accounts for UL\u2019s<\/strong> prominent position in the U.S.<\/strong>? <\/p>\n\n

Relation to UL<\/h2>\n\n

Having a UL-certified control cabinet<\/a> on a machine makes it much easier to operate the system in the United States. This makes it immediately clear to both the operator and an inspector that the requirements for occupational safety, fire protection, and workplace safety have been met in accordance with standards. <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Why is UL so important in the United States?<\/h2>\n\n

OSHA, NRTL, UL \u2013 Anyone dealing with UL<\/a>, the U.S., and occupational safety<\/strong> there for the first time will be confronted with a multitude of acronyms that can be confusing and perplexing for someone familiar only with European conditions. But essentially, the matter is quite simple. In the U.S., too, there are government agencies<\/strong> that issue occupational safety regulations and others that enforce them. <\/p>\n\n

The top occupational safety<\/strong> and<\/em> health agency<\/strong> in the United States is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration<\/em> (OSHA<\/a>), which reports directly to the U.S. Department of Labor. It is the responsibility of the local authorities<\/strong> (Authorities Having Jurisdiction<\/em><\/a>, AHJ). <\/p>\n\n

<\/div>

\"Ray,<\/div><\/div><\/p>\n\n

What does UL have to do with U.S. occupational safety and health?<\/h3>\n\n

Of course, U.S. law also imposes numerous requirements regarding the safety of machinery, equipment, and systems. Verifying compliance with these requirements represents a significant burden<\/strong> for the relevant local authorities. For this reason, their inspectors often rely on the certification marks issued by NRTLs<\/a><\/strong> in their work. UL is the best-known government-recognized testing laboratory in the U.S., and its UL labels are the most widely accepted. This may also be due to the fact that UL is the oldest of these institutions. <\/p>\n\n

\"UL<\/figure>\n\n

The Origins of UL in the United States<\/h2>\n\n

UL was founded in Chicago in 1894. At that time, electric lighting<\/strong> was becoming widespread in the United States, as were electrically powered devices and systems. The relatively primitive electrical installations, which were often not carried out by qualified professionals, combined with a lack of fire protection and fire suppression systems<\/strong>, led to numerous fires. These fires not only claimed many lives but also placed a significant financial burden on insurers. <\/p>\n\n

UL Expands Its Product Line<\/h3>\n\n

Underwriters Laboratories\u2019 initial goal was simply to reduce the hazards posed by electricity and fire. Consequently, the first product to bear a UL mark<\/a><\/strong> was a fire extinguisher. Over time, UL has continually expanded its scope of operations. Today, UL offers services in nearly all major industries, ranging from the automotive industry<\/strong> to the energy sector<\/strong> and the chemical industry<\/strong>, as well as healthcare<\/strong> and financial services<\/strong>. However, product certification remains its most important focus. <\/p>\n\n

The UL Mark as a Certification Mark in the United States<\/h2>\n\n

To this day, however, UL\u2019s best-known service is the testing of materials, components, and devices<\/strong> using representative samples to verify compliance with UL standards<\/a>. If a manufacturer\u2019s product meets UL\u2019s standards, it is permitted to bear the coveted UL mark. In this context, theterm \u201cUL approval\u201d<\/strong> is often used. However, this term is somewhat misleading, as it suggests that products for the U.S. market must be \u201capproved\u201d by UL. <\/p>\n\n

Is the UL label required in the U.S.?<\/h3>\n\n

As mentioned, UL is a private, government-recognized service provider, not a government agency. UL therefore has no authority<\/strong> to approve or reject products. Failure to meet the requirements simply results in the denial of UL certification. However, the lack of UL certification<\/a><\/strong> can effectively amount to a ban on a product in the U.S., as many American customers\u2014as well as retailers and insurance companies\u2014insist on it. <\/p>\n\n

The Role of UL Certification in Exporting to the U.S.<\/h3>\n\n

Certification by Underwriters Laboratories is therefore strongly recommended<\/strong> for products intended for export from Europe to North America. Our experience has shown that for plant engineers and manufacturers of complex machinery, it often makes the export process considerably easier<\/strong> if at least the system\u2019s control cabinet has UL certification. This is because inspecting the control cabinet during the on-site regulatory acceptance inspection is the most time-consuming part of the process. <\/p>\n\n

\"UL<\/figure>\n\n

UL in the U.S. and internationally<\/h2>\n\n

Reflecting the global significance of UL certification for exports to the U.S., UL maintains offices in 104 countries. In Germany<\/strong>, UL Solutions Deutschland<\/em> (formerly UL International Germany GmbH<\/em>) has ten locations<\/strong>, including Stuttgart, Neu-Ulm, and Munich. German companies that wish to have their products certified by UL therefore do not need to travel to the U.S.; instead, they can make initial contact within their own country. <\/p>\n\n

UL’s New Brands in the U.S. and Around the World<\/h3>\n\n

Since mid-2022, Underwriters Laboratories has been operating in the U.S. and internationally under three different brands<\/strong>, each representing a different division of UL LLC. We\u2019d like to take a brief look at these to help exporters who are contacting UL for the first time get their bearings. <\/p>\n\n

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UL Research Institute<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The UL Research Institutes<\/strong> are active in many areas of safety research<\/strong>. Their work forms the basis for the development and adaptation of UL standards. This is intended to ensure that a product bearing the UL mark reliably protects the user. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UL Solutions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Under the UL Solutions<\/strong> brand, UL offers its product and component testing and certification<\/strong>services in the United States and around the world. UL Solutions is also responsible for issuing the UL mark (i.e., the certification mark). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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UL Standards & Commitment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

UL Standards & Engagement<\/strong> develops UL standards<\/strong> based on scientific findings and current U.S. laws, such as the National Electrical Code. These standards form the basis for UL’s testing and certification of products. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Zusammenfassung<\/strong><\/h2>

<\/p>\n\n

UL<\/strong> is the <\/strong>leading government-recognized testing laboratory in the United States <\/strong>that tests materials, components, and finished products for a fee. This prominent position stems from the high visibility and widespread recognition of the UL label in North America. If the test specimens meet UL standards<\/strong>, they may bear the corresponding UL label. This label is not required by law, but it is of great practical importance for marketing products in the United States<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

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