Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Candlefocus EditorUnderwriters Laboratories (UL) is a global not-for-profit safety science company that employees over 14,000 people who live in 40 countries. This makes UL the largest and oldest independent testing laboratory in the United States, founded in 1894 and with a headquarters based in Northbrook, Illinois. UL is focused on promoting safe living and working environments around the world, and it does this by closely examining products and to create specific safety requirements.
All of this work requires substantial funding, which comes primarily from grants, document licensing, and the fees it charges manufacturers of products submitted for certification. Each item that manufacturers wish to have certified is closely examined, heavily tested and reviewed in order to ensure the highest standards of safety. Every product must pass very strict standards and testing which includes the examination of product materials, components, designs, and safety performance attributes. Once all of the tests are completed and passed, the product is then certified and labeled with a UL Mark.
Beyond product certification, UL also uses it’s vast resources to support fire safety through research and advocacy, support the growth of sustainability within organizations, and develop digital tools to help guide people when evaluating products. They also have a team of cybersecurity experts and credentials that provide organizations the ability to verify products have been securely designed, developed and tested for cybersecurity.
UL’s reach and influence is far-reaching and it is an essential part of the global economy. Every day, the company’s work helps verifies the safety, quality and adherence to standards that people care about when they purchase products. UL being such an integral part of global safety and quality assurance, it is no surprise that it is featured in the Uniform Fire Code, Underwriters Laboratories Standards, as well as many other international codes, standards and regulations. Without UL, the world would not be as safe and secure as it is.