The Types of UL Certification
In our mobile charger products industry, UL is a certification that always required for US/CA market.
UL is the abbreviation for Underwriters Laboratories Inc., the largest private institution engaged in safety testing and certification worldwide. UL safety certification is the most authoritative and world-renowned safety testing and identification program in the US.
UL certification is a non-mandatory certification in the US, which mainly focuses on testing and certifying product safety and performance. However, its certification scope does not include the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) characteristics of products.
UL logos are divided into three categories based on different UL services, namely Listing, Classification, and Recognition.
1. Listing:
Used only on complete products or devices with qualified personnel who can replace or install on-site. UL-listed products include electrical equipment such as IT equipment, AV equipment, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, among others. If the final product needs to bear the UL label, UL must test the samples to confirm that there are no hidden fire or electrical hazards.
The UL Listing logo has three types: one exclusively for the US, one exclusively for Canada, and one that is universal for the US and Canada. The C-UL logo is used for products sold in the Canadian market, indicating that the product has been evaluated according to Canadian safety requirements, which differ from those in the US. The C-UL-US logo is an optional logo, indicating that the product meets both Canadian and US requirements.
The UL Listing logo typically includes four essential elements: the letters “UL” in a circle, the word “Listed,” the product name or company name/file number, and version/serial number or alphanumeric control number.
2. Classification:
UL’s Classification service offers evaluation of products used in commercial or industrial settings based on relevant laws, regulations, or standards other than UL standards (including internationally recognized standards like IEC and ISO).
Generally, most classified products are not for consumer use but for industrial or commercial use. The classification symbol in the UL logo indicates that the product has certain limitations and specified ranges when UL evaluates it.
3. Recognition:
Recognition services are provided for products that can only be used as components or raw materials in UL-Listed, Classified, or other Recognized products. Recognized products are not structurally complete or have limited applications to ensure expected safety performance.
In most cases, recognized products fall under the R class of UL service. The L-class recognized products include electronic wires (AVLV2), processing lines (ZKLU2), wire harnesses (ZPFW2), aluminum wires (DVVR2), and metal flex conduits (DXUZ2).
The three symbols, Listing, Classification, and Recognition, are used on products belonging to three different service categories and cannot be mixed; otherwise, they may be considered counterfeit. UL services are provided based on not only the US UL standards but also Canadian standards (cUL).