UL launches ”fast-track” programs for U.S. and Canadian product certification

Northbrook, IL – Underwriters Laboratories Inc . (UL) announced, on October 24, 2002, the launch of ”fast-track” programs that promise manufacturers UL certification for both the U.S. and Canada in half the usual turnaround time-and at half the usual price-for most items. Effective Nov. 1, 2002 and lasting till the end of 2003, the new program applies to three key industry segments, namely:

Industrial control equipment-including motor controllers, auxiliary devices, high-voltage accessories, power-conversion equipment, programmable controllers, protective relays, switches, and terminal blocks;

Industrial control panels; and

Laboratory, test and measurement equipment.

Products submitted for UL evaluations in the above industry segments for the U.S. will receive the C-UL Mark for Canada, as well, at no extra cost. In addition, for customers submitting products that already have CSA certification, UL will provide both the UL and C-UL marks at half the cost and turnaround time compared to obtaining the UL Mark alone. ”If UL fails to meet the mutually agreed upon promise date, which for most items will be 50 percent of UL’s standard turnaround time, customers will receive their U.S. and Canadian certifications absolutely free,” says Loring W. Knoblauch, UL’s president and ceo.

Includes all components

The fast-track program includes components in any end product with prior CSA certification for the U.S. and Canada. UL will accept the CSA-certified component on a ”conditional basis” for testing in parallel with the end product, under the component supplier’s agreement to the following terms.

The component receives UL certification if it can be successfully certified within 120 days. If UL is unable to satisfactorily certify the component, UL will offer the customer 90 days to source another component that’s already UL-certified. If a suitable alternative UL-certified component cannot be found, UL will withdraw its acceptance of both the CSA-certified component and the end product.

Underwriters Laboratories views these fast-track programs as giving customers what they’ve been asking for-faster, more efficient, and value-added product certifications-while retaining the care for safety of products and components UL certifies. ”We will ensure that in each of these special programs, a full, complete, and accurate set of tests has been run,” says Mr. Knoblauch.

For more information, visit www.ul.com/fasttrack .

Control Engineering Daily News DeskFrank J. Bartos, executive editor fbartos@reedbusiness.com

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our CFE Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.