In the U.S., UL is the symbol of safety for consumers. Worldwide, UL is one of the most trusted providers of conformity assessment for manufacturers.
UL is short for Underwriter Laboratories Inc. UL is the most authoritative and largest private organization in the United States engaged in safety testing and qualification. It is an independent, non-profit, professional organization for public **** safety testing. It uses scientific testing methods to study and determine a variety of materials, devices, products, equipment, buildings, etc. on life, property and the degree of harm; to determine, write, issue the corresponding standards and help reduce and prevent the loss of life and property caused by the information, while carrying out factual research business. In short, it is mainly engaged in product safety certification and business safety certification business, and its ultimate goal is to contribute to the market with a considerable level of safety of the goods, and to ensure the safety of human health and property. Product safety certification as an effective means of eliminating technical barriers to international trade, UL to promote the development of international trade also plays a positive role.
UL certification type division
UL product certification, testing services can be divided into the main types of listing, recognition and classification.
1) Listed (LISTED): Generally speaking, the listing applies only to complete products and qualified personnel on-site replacement or installation of a variety of devices and installations, belonging to the UL listing services for a variety of products, including: household electrical appliances, medical equipment, computers, commercial equipment, as well as the role of the role of the building of various types of electrical products, such as distribution systems, fuses, wires, switches and other electrical components. other electrical components. UL-listed products can usually be marked with the UL Listing Mark on each product. Usage of the Listing Mark.
2) Recognition (Recognized): Recognition service is UL services in a project, the identification of products can only be UL listed, graded or other recognized products as components, raw materials. Recognized products in the structure is not complete, or in the use of certain restrictions to ensure that the expected safety performance. In most cases, the tracking of Recognized Products falls into Category R. Approved products that fall into category L are electronic wire (AVLV2), processed wire (ZKLU2), wire harnesses (ZPFW2), aluminum wire (DVVR2), and metal flex tubing (DXUZ2). Approved products are required to bear the approval mark.
3) Classification: Classification services evaluate products for specific hazards only, or for products that implement standards other than UL standards, including internationally recognized standards such as IEC and ISO standards. Generally speaking, most of the graded products are not consumer products, but industrial or commercial use of the product. UL mark in the graded mark indicates that the product in the UL identification by certain limitations and regulations of the scope. For example, chemicals such as solvents used in industry are evaluated only in terms of the range of fires that may occur when they reach their ignition temperatures. Certain product classification services and listing services, but generally only a certain aspect of the product or a number of aspects of the evaluation, such as in the United States, medical X-ray diagnostic equipment to comply with U.S. laws and regulations relating to radiation emission and beam accuracy, but because UL only X-ray as a classification of products, so only the evaluation of its mechanical properties, electrical properties, and other non-radiation properties of these aspects.
4) Multiple Listing, Multiple Recognition or Multiple Classification Service: When a UL applicant, after obtaining the listing, recognition or classification service mentioned above, has a product to be manufactured under the name of another company to satisfy the need for sales, it may apply for Multiple Listing, Multiple Recognition or Multiple Classification Service, in which case the manufacturer who receives the listing, recognition or classification is permitted to use the name of the other company in the product directory, but the product is classified under the name of the other company. In such cases, the listed, recognized or classified manufacturer is permitted to use the name of another company on the product list, provided that the product is identical to the original listed, recognized or classified product except for the company designator, product designator, or other characteristics deemed acceptable by UL.
5) "AL" listing, recognition or classification services: If the UL applicant does not want to use his own company's name to obtain listing, recognition or classification services, he can apply for another firm (usually a retailer or wholesaler) in the name of the application for listing, recognition or classification, i.e., "AL" listing, recognition or classification services. This is distinguished from multiple listing, multiple recognition or multiple grading services in that the applicant is not the person making the listing.
UL certification process
Products applying for the UL Mark include the following steps:
1. Applicant submits information about the company and the product
Written application: You should request in writing that the UL company test your company's products.
Company information: in English and Chinese to provide the following units detailed and accurate name, address, contact person, postal code, telephone and fax.
(a). Applicant Company: The company that submits the application for product testing and is responsible for the full cost of engineering services
(b). Listed Company: A company whose name is listed in the various catalogs published by UL
(c). Manufacturing Plant: The manufacturer and producer of a product.
Product Information: Information on the product should be provided in English.
(a). Name of the product: The full name of the product is provided.
(b). Model number of the product: detail all the product models, varieties or classification numbers, etc. for which experiments are required.
(c). Intended use of the product: e.g. home, office, factory, coal mine, ship, etc.
(d). Parts list: detail the parts that make up the product and the model number (classification number), rating, and name of the manufacturer. For insulation materials, please provide the name of the raw material, e.g., GE Polycarbonate, Lexan Type 104. When the parts have been certified or recognized by UL, please certify the specific model number of the part and indicate its UL file number.
(e). Electrical Performance: For electronic and electrical products. Provide electrical schematic diagram (wiring diagram), electrical performance table.
(f). Structural drawings: For most products, you need to provide the product's structural or explosive diagrams, ingredient lists, etc..
(g). Photographs of the product, instructions for use, safety etc. or installation instructions etc.
2. Product testing
Product testing is generally conducted in the United States in the UL laboratory, UL can also accept audited participation in third-party test data. Test samples will be returned or destroyed at your request. If the product test results meet the requirements of the UL standard, UL will issue a report of compliance and FollowUp Service Proccdure (FollowUp Service Proccdure) The test report will detail the test situation, the sample to achieve the target, the product structure and safety marks suitable for the use of the product, etc. The FollowUp Service Proccdure includes a detailed explanation of the product's performance, and a description of the product's performance. The FollowUp Service Proccdure includes a description of the product and instructions for UL Regional Inspectors. A copy of the test report is sent to the applicant company and a copy of the tracking service specifications is sent to each manufacturing plant.
3, the applicant is authorized to use the UL Mark
In China, the UL regional inspector contacted the production plant for the first factory inspection (Initial Production Inspection . IPI), the inspector checked your product and its components in the production line and warehouse warehouse to confirm that the product structure and parts are consistent with the details of the tracking service, if the details of the product and its components are consistent with the details of the tracking service, if the details of the tracking service, a copy of the report was sent to the applicant company sent to each production plant. Tracking service rules in line with the rules, if the rules require, the regional inspector will also carry out eye-witness experiments, when the inspection results meet the requirements, the applicant is authorized to use the UL Mark.
Following the IPI, inspectors will visit the factory from time to time to inspect the product structure and conduct visual experiments, the frequency of inspection is determined by the type of product and production volume, most types of products are inspected at least four times a year, the inspector's inspection is to ensure that the product continues to be consistent with the requirements of the UL, before you plan to change the structure of the product or parts, please notify UL, for changes in the smaller For minor changes, there is no need to repeat any experiments, and UL can quickly modify the tracking service rules so that the inspector can accept such changes. When UL believes that the changes affect the safety performance of a product, it is necessary for the applicant company to resubmit samples for the necessary testing.
The cost of the follow-up service is not included in the cost of testing.
If the product test results can not meet the requirements of the UL standard, UL will notify the applicant, explaining the problems, the applicant to improve the product design, you can re-submit the product, you should tell UL engineers, the product to make what improvements, so that it can decide the above are the steps to apply for UL certification.
UL certification inspection details
UL inspector's inspection is basically mechanical operations. Depending on the product, the inspector's inspection is based on the announcement (Bulletin), rules (Procedure), FUII (if any, included in the rules) and UL standards (if required in FUII).
If the factory is producing UL products or has UL products in stock when the inspector visits the factory, the inspector will take samples in one of the following ways:
1. Individual components from the production line plus one complete product from the warehouse.
2. Parts from the warehouse plus a complete product from the production line.
3. Draws complete products from the warehouse for splitting.
The exact number of samples taken is determined by rule, FUII (Follow-Up Inspection Instruction), SAP (Standard Attachment Sheet), or direct order from UL Laboratories. Inspectors do not necessarily inspect all products at each inspection, but they do try to inspect all product categories or models within a year or at least two years.
Generally speaking, UL's requirements for the factory production system are not too high, and only require that instrumentation be measured once a year, that the factory keep its own inspection records, and that there be some means of control over nonconforming products.
Inspection, the field representative (UL inspector) will focus on the product itself, they will be based on the above test basis for each check the structure of the product, components and assembly. For parts and components related to product safety, the general rules will specify the requirements for UL certified products, and will indicate the manufacturer and model; for the shell, shroud and other injection molded parts, in general, the rules will specify the raw materials and size requirements. The field representative will check the above items as well as the UL marking specified in the rules.
Additionally, if the rules or FUII or the standard requires on-site testing of the product, the field representative will ask the factory inspector to do the appropriate tests, and the field representative will be witnessed. If the rules also require that samples be sent to UL for follow-up testing, the factory should cooperate with the inspector to produce the appropriate samples, written by the inspector of the sample label, provide the address and seal the samples, sent by the factory to the appropriate UL laboratory.
If the factory produces products in full compliance with the requirements of the corresponding UL inspection standards, there is no other violation of the tracking service agreement, the inspector will issue a tracking inspection report (Inspection Report); factory representatives in the confirmation of the accuracy of its content should be signed on the report; an inspection is completed. If the inspection process does not meet the inspection standards, the inspector will issue a change notice (Variation Notice), and take appropriate measures according to the specific circumstances.
For unauthorized use of UL marking of the product, the inspector will require the removal of UL marking; for products that do not meet the UL requirements, the inspector will be required to remove the UL marking of the factory or rework to make it comply with the requirements; if the factory does not agree with the above views on the handling of the factory, it can be retained UL marking, but must stop shipments, the inspector will notify the situation of the appropriate laboratory by the UL to make the response Decide whether the UL mark can be retained; if there are only minor problems that do not affect the safety of the product, the inspector will make a temporary acceptance of the decision and report to the appropriate laboratory; if it is some obvious standard errors, such as typing errors or unit errors, it does not affect the factory's product qualification, but as a UL document processing, the inspector will also issue a notice of change. In general, unless UL's responsibility, the inspector will require the factory to non-conformity of the various to the appropriate laboratory to explain, UL will be based on your explanation to make the appropriate response.
Of course, the inspector's judgment is only provisional, the final decision is, of course, in the UL laboratories. If the factory does not agree with the practice of inspection, it is entirely possible to reflect to the appropriate laboratory, at this time, the inspector is obliged to provide the appropriate contact person and contact method. In the confirmation of the contents of the notice of change recorded in the correct, factory representatives should sign the notice.
UL Certification Factory Inspection
In China, the UL regional inspector contacted the production plant for the first factory inspection (Initial Production Inspection, referred to as IPI), the inspector checks your products and their components in the production line and warehouse storage situation, in order to confirm that the structure of the product and the parts are consistent with the rules and regulations of the tracking service. If required by the specifications, the regional inspector will conduct a visual test. When the inspection results are compliant, the applicant is authorized to use the UL Mark.
Following the IPI, inspectors visit the factory from time to time to check the structure of the product and conduct visual tests. The frequency of inspections is determined by the type of product and the volume of production, with most types of products inspected at least four times per year (the cost of follow-up services is not included in the cost of testing). The inspector's inspection is to ensure that the product continues to conform to UL requirements. notify UL in advance before you plan to change the structure or components of the product. for changes that are minor and do not require the repetition of any experiments, UL can quickly modify the Tracking Service specifications to make such changes acceptable to the inspector. When UL believes that a product's safety performance has been affected by a change, the applicant company is required to resubmit samples for the necessary testing.
UL certification tracking inspection
Ul certification for an integral part of UL, in order to ensure that UL's listed, recognized products continue to comply with UL's standards and requirements, UL has developed a "tracking inspection" system."" Tracking inspection" is sent by the UL field representatives around the world to the local production site of the factory UL products for tracking inspection. Its purpose is through the factory's production process, inspection process and products, against the UL standards and tracking inspection rules for verification, to ensure that the manufacturer's production process, inspection process and products always meet the requirements of UL.
Tracking inspection of the basis:
The field representative to the factory is mainly based on the "tracking inspection details" to carry out inspections. Follow-up inspection details" is by the UL Engineering Department, in the samples submitted for inspection after the preparation of the test, this document includes a comprehensive description of the product, but also includes photographs] manuals, etc. It also specifies the manufacturing plant during production. It also specifies the various tests that the manufacturing plant is required to perform on a regular basis during production, some of which are required to be performed on 100% of the product, such as the withstand voltage test. Certain tests may be carried out on a sample basis, and it also specifies the tests that must be sampled by the site representative during on-site inspections at the factory. The field representative will determine whether the test results are acceptable or not based on the details and provisions of such tests.
Tracking test product classification:
UL's tracking test is divided into R and L. L service is mainly used and life safety related products, such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire doors and some production of considerable products, such as electrical equipment, wires and circuit breakers. For products that fall under Class L, manufacturers must order labels directly from UL to be affixed to the product.Class R service is primarily used for electrical equipment such as fans, televisions, hair dryers, ovens and other products that are typically manufactured on an appropriate assembly line.
Documents to be submitted for UL certification
Written request: You should request in writing that UL test your product.
Company information: in English and Chinese to provide the following units detailed and accurate name, address, contact person, postal code, telephone and fax.
(a). Applicant Company: The company that submits the application for product testing and is responsible for the full cost of engineering services
(b). Listed Company: A company whose name is listed in the various catalogs published by UL
(c). Manufacturing Plant: The manufacturer and producer of a product.
Product Information: Information on the product should be provided in English.
(a). Name of the product: The full name of the product is provided.
(b). Model number of the product: detail all the product models, varieties or classification numbers, etc. for which experiments are required.
(c). Intended use of the product: e.g. home, office, factory, coal mine, ship, etc.
(d). Parts list: detail the parts that make up the product and the model number (classification number), rating, and name of the manufacturer. For insulation materials, please provide the name of the raw material, e.g., GE Polycarbonate, Lexan Type 104. When the parts have been certified or recognized by UL, please certify the specific model number of the part and indicate its UL file number.
(e). Electrical Performance: For electronic and electrical products. Provide electrical schematic diagram (wiring diagram), electrical performance table.
(f). Structural drawings: For most products, you need to provide the product's structural or explosive diagrams, ingredient lists, etc..
(g). Photographs of the product, instructions for use, safety, etc. or installation instructions, etc.