What is UL Compliance Testing?

UL Standards are voluntary standards established by Underwriters Laboratories Inc., an American organization. They primarily apply to electrical products and other public safety standards. In the U.S., electrical products without UL standards cannot be processed, and in the event of an accident, they are not covered by insurance. Therefore, UL standards not only represent safety but also reflect global safety standards.

What is UL Standard?

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) has been developing safety standards, testing product compliance, and marking everyday items for over 100 years. Now known as UL, it is one of the largest and most recognized safety certification organizations in the world. UL standards cover various product categories, assessing their electrical safety, flammability, performance, sustainability, and more.

What Products Do UL Standards Cover?

UL standards apply to the following product categories:

- Electronics

- Battery-powered products

- Lithium batteries

- Wires and cables

- Plastic materials

- Building materials, etc.

Amazon and UL Standards

UL standards are mandatory for various electronic products on Amazon’s U.S. marketplace. Failure to provide a valid UL test report issued by an ISO 17025 certified company may lead to listing rejection or removal.

UL Related Standards

Electrical Safety Standards

Examples include:

- UL 62368-1: Audio/Video, Information, and Communication Technology Equipment – Safety Requirements

- UL 2054: Household and Commercial Batteries

- UL 749: Household Dishwashers

- UL 1023: Household Intruder Alarm Systems

Flammability Standards

Examples include:

- UL 94: Plastic Materials for Equipment and Appliance Parts – Flammability Testing

- UL 340: Liquid Comparative Flammability Testing

- UL 1694: Flammability Testing of Small Polymer Components

- UL 127: Combustibility of Non-Melting Foam Plastic Building Materials

Sustainability Standards

Examples include:

- UL 115: Thermal Insulation Sustainability

- UL 110: Mobile Phone Sustainability Standards

- UL 172: Toy Sustainability Standards

- UL 126: Plastic Film Product Sustainability Standards

Performance Standards

Examples include:

- UL S8001: Flashlight Performance

- UL 316: Video Surveillance System Performance Standards

- UL 2596: Testing Methods for Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Battery Enclosures

- UL 2802: Camera Image Quality Performance Testing

Are UL Standards Mandatory in the U.S.?

Although following UL standards is generally voluntary, manufacturers and importers are responsible for the safety of their products. If products do not comply with relevant regulations or are found to be unsafe, they may be recalled by authorities and removed from platforms like Amazon. Unsafe products expose manufacturers to hefty fines and legal actions.

Lithium Battery Product Testing Standards

In the U.S., two major battery standards apply to batteries and small portable battery packs:

- UL 1642: Applies to single batteries

- UL 2054: Applies to small rechargeable battery packs

UL2054 is not mandatory but is usually enforced for U.S. end-use products. This testing is rigorous and requires the battery pack to undergo single fault testing to ensure redundancy in design.

Other National Requirements

- India: Requires testing according to IS16046, similar to IEC 62133, and BIS certification.

- Russia: GOST certification is easier to obtain by meeting IEC62133 standards.

- South Korea: kc certification is required with domestic testing based on IEC 62133, taking about three months.

- Thailand: TISI certification, based on TIS 2217-2548 (similar to IEC 62133), may take over six months.

- Japan: Allows self-certification with domestic registration, based on revised standards for lithium-ion batteries.

- China: Requires compliance with GB 31241-2014 standards.

- Taiwan: Requires testing by bsmi (Bureau of Standards, Metrology, and Inspection).

Labeling Requirements for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries should be clearly and durably labeled with the following:

1. Manufacturer’s name or trademark

2. Electrical rating (Vdc and Ah)

3. Manufacturing date or expiration date

If the product is branded by a private label company, the manufacturer's label can be a visible code. The manufacturing date may be abbreviated or use a nationally recognized code.

Additionally, lithium-ion batteries must have warning labels indicating the risks of improper handling, such as burns, fire, or explosion. Instructions on avoiding risks like puncturing, disassembling, or exposing the battery to fire should also be provided.