UL Certification
UL is short for American Underwriter Laboratories Inc.. UL is America's most authoritative, and also the largest engaged in security testing and identification of civil society institutions in the world. It is an independent, non-profit, do testing for public safety professional organizations. It uses scientific methods to study the test to determine the extent of a variety of materials, devices, products, equipment, construction of life, property and whether the harm; determining, write, issue the appropriate standards and help reduce and prevent life loss of property information, while carrying out the facts research business.
About UL
safety certification and operational safety proof products business, the ultimate aim is for the market to get the goods with a considerable level of safety, guaranteed to personal health and property safety to contribute. Product safety certification as an effective means to eliminate technical barriers to international trade in terms of, UL to promote the development of international trade also played an active role.
phase of UL fire insurance sector by maintaining the action until 1916, UL was completely self-supporting. After nearly a century of development, UL has become a world-known certification body, which itself has a set of strict organization and management system, standards development and product certification programs. UL made a council to manage security experts, government officials, consumers, education, utilities, insurance and standards department composed of representatives of the daily work of the president, vice president of process. Currently, UL has five laboratories in the United States, headquartered in Northbrook town north of Chicago, while the corresponding laboratory set up in Taiwan and Hong Kong. In the US, for consumers, UL is a symbol of safety signs, global, UL is one of the most trusted manufacturers conformity assessment provider.
About UL Marks
UL logo template
UL mark is usually identified in the product (or) products and packaging to indicate that the product has passed UL certified to meet safety standards.
These mark the most important part of the pattern is UL symbols, these symbols are registered trademarks of UL.
UL mark requirements
1.The registered trademark of the minimum height should be 3/64 inch.
2.When the UL mark the outer diameter is less than 3/8 inch, the registered trademark symbol if is without clear and readable by the naked eye ,can be ignored.
3.The mark can be available by stamping, molding, printing ink, screen printing or the like directly and fixed on the same product.
4.Receive the mark: manufacturer may be reproduced or authorized dealer to obtain from UL.
5.ULus logo(only have us，without c)：Products into the US market safety symbol；cUL(only have c，but no us)：Products into the CA market safety symbol；cULus logo：Products into both US and CA markets safety symbol
Services contents
the type of UL product certification, test services can be divided into the listed, recognition and classification.
1. LISTED：
In general, the listed only applies to the complete product and a variety of devices and devices qualified personnel in the field to be replaced or installed, the UL listed and services a variety of products including: household appliances, medical equipment, computers, business equipment as well as the role in the building of all kinds of electrical products, such as power distribution systems, fuses, wires, switches and other electrical components and so on. By UL listed products, usually marked with the UL Listing Mark on each product. Listing Mark usage.
2. Recognized：
recognition service is one of UL service project, and its products can only be identified between the UL Listing and Classification or as components of other approved products, raw materials use. Approved products in the structure is not complete, or there are certain restrictions on the use to ensure the expected safety performance. In most cases, the approved products tracking service belong to the class R. Belongs to the class L recognition products are electronic line (AVLV2), processing wire (ZKLU2), harness (ZPFW2), aluminum (DVVR2), and metal flexible tube (DXUZ2). Accreditation requirements with product approval mark.
3. Classification：
Classification services only for product-specific hazard evaluation, or for other than the implementation of other standards UL standards (including internationally recognized standards, such as IEC and ISO standards, etc.) for the product were evaluated. In general most of the products are not consumer level products, but the use of industrial or commercial product. UL logo in hierarchical flag indicates that the product identified by UL when there are certain restrictions and a predetermined range. For example on the use of industrial chemicals such as solvents, fire only when the range reaches its ignition temperature may occur evaluated. Grade service and same column name for certain products and services, but generally only for one aspect or several aspects of the product evaluation, as in the United States, this type of medical X-ray diagnostic equipment to the country to comply with US law and the relevant radiation emission and beam provisions of flow accuracy, but because only the X-ray as UL classified product, so only evaluate its mechanical properties, electrical properties and other non-radiation properties of these aspects.
4.Multi-listed, multi-recognized or multi-classification
applicant after a UL acquires the listed, recognized or classification, and its products to be in the name of another company's production to meet the needs of sales, can apply Multi-listed, multi-recognized or multi-classification services, in which under case, get the listed, accredited or manufacturer classification are allowed to use the product directory in another company's name, but the product in addition to the company code, product code or UL company considers acceptable to other characteristics, must be original listed, product approval or grading consistency.
5.listed, recognized, classification services
If the applicant does not intend to obtain UL Listed in the name of their company, approval or grading service, he could apply with another firm (usually a retailer or wholesaler) to apply on behalf of a listed, recognition or classification, the "AL" listed, approval or grading service. Multiple listed, muti-recognize, multi-classification the difference between the applicant is not in its celebrity column.
6.System certification services:
As a member of the International Accreditation Committee, UL widely involved ISO9000 quality system certification, ISO14000 environmental certification, QS9000 automotive industry quality system certification and AS9000 aircraft industry quality system certification services. A total of 116 domestic factories achieved UL certification system; where 21 is ISO9001 certification, 85 for the ISO9002 certification, a certification of ISO14001, nine of QS9000 certification.
7.UL other services
As proof of service, inspection services, the facts determine services, research services.
Process
Product apply for UL mark comprises the following steps:
1.Applicants submit information about the company and products
Written application: You should request, in writing UL company Company's products for testing.
Company information: in English and provides the following units detailed and accurate name, address, contact person, zip code, telephone and fax.
(a)applicant :Product testing companies to apply for and be responsible for all engineering services
(b) Listed applicant: Lists the name of the company in a variety of products UL publishes directories
(c)Manufacturers: Product manufacturers and producers.
Product Information: Product information should be available in English.
(a)Product Name: Provide the full name of the product.
(b)Product model: detailing all need to experiment with product modle, variety or DOI, etc.
(c)Products intended use: for example: homes, offices, factories, coal mines, and ships.
(d)Components List: detailed composition of the product components and models (DOI), the rating, the manufacturer's name. For the insulating material, please provide the name of the raw material, such as: GE Polycarbonate, Lexan Type 104. When the parts have been UL certification or accreditation, please prove that the specific model of the component, and indicate its UL file number (e) electrical performance: For electrical and electronic products. Providing an electrical schematic (circuit diagram), the electrical properties of the table.
(f)Construction chart: For most products, the need to provide the product or an exploded view diagram, the list of ingredients and the like.
(g)Product photos, instructions for use, safety, or other items of installation instructions.
2. Make decisions based on product information provided
When product information is complete, UL's engineers to make the decision based on the following information: UL standard test is based on engineering cost test, the test of time, the number of samples, so as to notify you in writing, and the official application form and tracking services agreement sent to your company. Application form indicate the cost limit is the maximum cost of the project in accordance with UL test items and estimates, not your company's written authorization, the fee limit can not be exceeded.
3.Applicant remittances, return the application form and samples
Applicant sign on the application form and track service agreement and send back the form UL company, meanwhile, by bank transfer, at the post office or courier to send samples, please send a sample test will be appropriate description (such as name, model). Please send the application form and sample separately. For each application project, UL is assigned a unique item number (Project No.) in remittances, send samples indicate when an item number and the application form, the applicant company name, in order to UL check.
4.Product testing
After receiving the application form, remittances, experimental samples of your company signed, UL will notify you that the test plan completed. Product testing is generally performed in the United States UL laboratory, UL also accept the participation of a third-party audited test data. Experimental samples will also be sent or destroyed according to your requirements.
If the product testing results meet the UL standard, UL Company will issue a test compliance report and track service rules (FollowUp Service Procedure) test report will detail the test case, the sample to reach the targets, product structure and use of the product for safety signs. In tracking service rules included in the description of the product and to regional inspectors UL instructions. A copy of the inspection report mailed to applicant, a copy of the tracking service rules mailed each production facility.
5.The applicant is authorized to use the UL Mark
contact factory inspection (Initial Production Inspection .IPI), inspectors who check your product and its components in the case of the production line and warehouse warehousing to confirm whether the product structure and parts consistent tracking service rules, if rules required, regional inspectors also witnessed the experiment, when the test results meet the requirements, the applicant is authorized to use the UL mark.
Following the IPI, the inspector will check from time to time to the factory to check the product structure and witnessed the experiment, the frequency of inspections is determined by the type of product and production capacity, most of the types of products checked at least four times a year, inspectors check is in order to ensure that products continue to be consistent with the UL requirements before you plan to change the product mix or parts, please notify UL, minor changes for change, do not repeat any experiment, UL can quickly modify the tracking service rules, so that inspectors can accept Such changes. When UL think the product changes affect its safety performance, the need to apply for the company to re-submit the necessary testing samples.
Expense tracking service is not included in the test costs.
If the product test results can not meet UL standards, UL will notify the applicant, explain the problems, the applicant improved product design, you can re-inspection product, you should tell UL engineers, what had been done to improve the product so that it can decide over It is the steps to apply for UL certification.
Inspection Rules
General
UL inspectors test is essentially a mechanical job. Depending on the product, the inspector's test based on a notice (Bulletin), Rules (Procedure), FUII (if included in the rules), and UL standards (if there is demand FUII).
If the inspectors visit the factory, the factory is producing UL product, or inventory of UL products, the inspector will take samples in one of the following ways:
1. The individual components extracted from the line drawn from the warehouse plus a complete product.
2. The individual components extracted from the warehouse together with a complete product line.
3. The complete product is extracted from the warehouse used to split.
Specific number of samples depends on the details, FUII (track inspection instructions), SAP (standard attached) or from the direct command UL laboratories. Every inspector test does not necessarily test all products, but they will try to test all product categories or models within a year or at least two years.
Generally, UL factory production system requirements are not too high, only required once a year for metering equipment, keep the factory own inspection records, as well as unqualified to have some means of control.
Inspection, field representatives (UL inspectors) will focus primarily on the product itself, they will one by one to check structures, components and assembly of products based on the test basis. For components related to product safety, the general rule will specify requirements for the UL certified products, and will specify the manufacturer and model; for housing, shields and other injection molded parts, under normal circumstances Conditions will specify its raw material and size requirements. Field representatives will verify the above, and UL mark in the Regulations of.
on side test
In addition, if FUII or rules or standards requirements for product field testing, field representative will ask the factory inspectors to do the appropriate tests, and field representatives in the next witness. If the rules are also required to send samples to UL for track testing, factory inspectors should coordinate production of the corresponding sample, sample labels written by the inspector, provide addresses and sample letters, by the factory sent the corresponding UL laboratory.
If you plant the products in full compliance with relevant UL testing standards, and no other place tracking service agreement violation, the inspector will issue tracking inspection report (Inspection Report); factory representatives after confirming the contents of the report should be accurate signature; a test is completed. If the test occurred during the case of non-compliance test, the inspector will issue a notice of change (Variation Notice), and take appropriate action depending on the circumstances.
remove UL logo
For unauthorized UL mark product, the inspector will require the removal of UL mark; for the product does not comply with UL requirements, the inspector will ask the factory to remove the UL mark or rework to make it meet the requirements; if the plant does not agree with an opinion on the above process, you can escrow UL mark, but it must stop shipments, the inspector will notify the appropriate laboratory, is made by UL reply decide whether to retain UL mark; if there is only a minor problem, does not affect the safety of the product, inspectors will make a temporary decision to accept, and report to the appropriate laboratory; if it is some obvious standard errors, such as typos or errors units, the plant does not affect the eligibility of the product, but as a document processing of UL, the inspector will issue a notice of change. Under normal circumstances, unless it is UL's responsibility, the inspector will ask the factory to explain the non-compliance to the appropriate laboratory, UL will respond appropriately, according to your interpretation.
The final decision
Of course, the judge inspector's only temporary, of course, the final decision in the UL laboratories. If the factory for inspection practices where there is no consent, can reflect the appropriate laboratory, this time, the inspector is obliged to provide the appropriate contact person and contact methods. After confirming the change notice of the recorded content is correct, factory representative should sign the notice.
UL
Certification UL factory inspection in China's regional inspectors to contact the factory for the production of the first factory inspection (Initial Production Inspection, called IPI), the inspector checks production line and warehouse-storage situations, you have a product and its components, in order to confirm the product structure and parts tracking service is consistent with the rules, if the rules required, the regional inspector witnessed the experiment will be conducted. When the test results meet the requirements, the applicant is authorized to use the UL mark.
After the IPI, the inspector will check from time to time to the factory to check the product structure and witnessed the experiment. The frequency of inspections is determined by the type of product and production volume, most of the types of products checked at least four times a year (expense tracking service is not included in the test costs). Inspectors check is to ensure that products continue to be consistent with the UL requirements before you plan to change the product mix or parts, please notify UL. Minor changes for change, do not repeat any experiment, UL can quickly modify the tracking service rules, so that inspectors can accept this change. When UL think the product changes affect its safety performance, the need to apply for the company to re-submit the necessary testing samples.
Certification Review
UL certified products prior to the first shipment, to go through the UL authorized local province provincial China Import and Export Commodity Inspection Bureau (CCIB) sent to the factory inspection. Also each year follow-up examination.
Follow-Up inspeciton
Brief
As an integral part of the UL certification, in order to ensure the UL Listing, approved products continue to meet the standards and requirements of UL, UL developed a "Follow-Up" system. "Follow-Up" is distributed by the UL dispatched at the scene around the world on behalf of the local plant's production site for product tracking UL testing. Its purpose is through the factory's production process, inspection process and product control and tracking inspection rules UL standard for verification, to ensure that the manufacturer's production process, inspection processes and products always comply with UL requirements.
Tracking inspection based
Field representative to the factory based mainly on "Follow-Rules" for testing. "Track Inspection Rules" by UL engineering department, after submission of samples for testing establishment, this file includes a complete description of the product, including photos, brochures and the like. It also provides a variety of tests during production manufacturing plants often do, some of the test requirements of the product was 100%, as the pressure test. Some tests can be sampled at the same time, also provides for the pilot project site on behalf of the factory site inspection to spot checks. Field representatives and regulations according to the details of such trials to determine whether the test results were satisfactory.
Follow-classification of the product
Review into the first review and quarterly reviews, the first review of cost relatively little high, UL's Follow-R and L classes are divided into classes. L class service and life is mainly used for security-related products, such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire doors and a large number of output products, such as electrical equipment, wiring and circuit breakers. L belonging to the class of products, manufacturing plant to UL must be ordered directly on the product label. Class R services are mainly used in electrical equipment, such as fans, TV, hair dryer, oven and other commonly used to produce a corresponding line of products.
Key words
"AL" LISTING
AGENT
APPEALS PROCEDURE
APPENDIX
APPLICANT
AUTHORIZATION PAGE
CATEGORY CONTROL NUMBER
COMPONENT
CONDITION OF ACCEPTABILITY
CONTROL NUMBER
FACTORY IDENTIFICATION
FACTORY INSPECTION
"AL" LISTING， CLASSIFICATION OR RECOGNITION
AGENT
Commissioned by the applicant to engage in activities on behalf of the applicant and UL between individuals or businesses
APPEALS PROCEDURE
If the customer or the results of the test track test engineering have different views, we can discuss with the relevant engineers or site representatives without fear of endangering the future of the conclusions. If you can not get a satisfactory answer at this level, the customer may appeal to a higher level, until the president.
APPENDIX
Part of details, including liability factory and field representatives and the relevant test requirements. It may also describe sent test samples made of UL.
APPLICANT
To UL application for businesses or individuals to test their components, products or systems. In law, this party will be responsible for the cost of testing and tracking services, all of the information and test results and related ownership rights. See also agent.
AUTHORIZATION PAGE
Archiving tracking service factory inspection rules front page, to authorize the corresponding track inspection services (L class or category R) and allow the certification mark
CATEGORY CONTROL NUMBER(CCN)
UL listed, recognized, classification service different character product category representation. As AVLV2 an electron line; QOWZ expressed portable lamps. In general, XXXX for the column name product, XXXX2 of approved products, XXXX7 indicates compliance with Canadian standards Listed products, XXXX8 indicates compliance with Canadian standards approved products.
COMPONENT
A portion of the product, except as part of a complete product involved in the testing of the entire product, but also the need for a separate test their performance and / or structure. Parts can be a column name, column name recognition or non-member.
CONDITION OF ACCEPTABILITY
These items are listed in the report or elsewhere specified or approved parts, but not in a test based on the scene representatives. The project is based on the test results, indicate the parts of the product when used with complete restrictions and conditions. For example, in some kind of switch in the report, may be specified in the "conditions apply" in the product applies only to 1A current or temperature below 125 ℃ or less.
CONTROL NUMBER
One of four possible components UL approval mark specified by UL. Depending on the product category and the different types of tracking services, control number may periodically change.
FACTORY IDENTIFICATION
UL by the same product in different plant manufacturers to use a certain identification marks used to distinguish a product in which the factory.
FACTORY INSPECTION
UL certification focuses Industry
Audiovisual equipment
car
Component
Household appliances
Industrial Control Equipment
IT equipment
Lamps
Medical Devices
plastic
Information Equipment
Wire and Cable
UL94 Certification - Test Project
UL94 certified plastic materials not only flame retardancy evaluation, including analysis of the thermal and electrical performance testing plastics. In addition, long-term heat aging performance under high-temperature plastic storm (hot air oven aging), water, UV, cold, etc., are used as the material of the final evaluation.
UL94 certification to include performance evaluation materials
94 Flammability UL certification
UL 746A certification of electrical and mechanical properties
Thermal aging UL 746B certification program
UL 746C certification file review
Plastic outdoor adaptability
Components QMQS2
Color QMLJ2
Materials used in special environments are some of the key operations and / or environmental conditions exist after the final survey required for a particular application of the materials used in the performance of the product is kept in contact. This would include exposure to different types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.