UL 268 Smoke Detector

Recently, the United States has begun stricter inspections on the safety qualifications of alarm devices, resulting in a large-scale recall of smoke detectors and combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms.

According to reports, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced concerns that certain smoke alarms may not function properly in emergencies. As a result, approximately 220,000 Kidde smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms have been recalled nationwide from various department stores—including Walmart, Home Depot, Menards—as well as online platforms like Amazon.

Although no injuries or incidents have been reported so far, the CPSC stated that these products could fail to alert consumers in the event of a fire, posing significant safety risks. Therefore, replacement of these products is necessary.

Safety Product Testing Standards

When exporting safety products to the United States, Canada, or listing them on Amazon, products must pass testing and comply with specific standards. The main standards include:

- Smoke Alarms: UL 217

- Smoke Detectors: UL 268

- Carbon Monoxide Alarms: UL 2034

Required Information for Amazon Listings

Amazon’s policy requires that certain fire and safety products sold on its platform must comply with designated certification standards. If contacted by Amazon, sellers must submit the following information to lifesafetyequipment@amazon.com:

- Company name

- Seller/vendor ID number

- Email address

- Phone number

- List of ASINs you intend to sell

- Product images and manuals (if applicable), clearly showing all relevant safety information, compliance markings, and product details

- A test report issued by a testing laboratory accredited to ILAC ISO 17025, confirming that each product has been tested and meets the applicable standards

Additional Notes

Currently, products such as hand warmers, mobile phone batteries, and chargers sold on Amazon must meet specific certification standards. If products fail to comply, Amazon may revoke the seller's authorization to sell these items.

Non-compliant products pose a high risk of causing fires and endangering public safety, and similar incidents have occurred in the past.

As UL standards are the primary safety testing standards in the Americas, Amazon has strengthened the regulation of electrical and electronic products. It is common for non-compliant products to be removed from the platform.

Product certification is no longer a new topic. Amazon’s review process, especially for products containing batteries, is extremely strict. This wave of notifications mainly serves as a reminder to sellers:

"To ensure consumer safety, Amazon emphasizes that all electrical products must have proper certifications before being sold."

Steps to Obtain a UL Test Report

1. Complete the application form

2. Provide product documentation

3. Make the payment and send samples to the laboratory

4. JJR Laboratory arranges for testing

5. UL test report is issued