Who is UL and Why is it Important?

Who is UL and Why is it Important?

Who is UL?

UL stands for Underwriter’s Laboratories Inc., an independent organization providing professional public safety testing. UL is the most authoritative testing institute in the United States and one of the world’s largest public safety testing labs.

UL was established in 1894 by William Henry Merrill, an electrical engineer who devoted his efforts to developing standards, launching tests, designing equipment, and uncovering hazards. Aside from his work at UL, Merrill served as the National Fire Protection Association‘s secretary-treasurer for six consecutive years and as president for two years and was an active member of the Chicago Board and Union Committee. In 1916, Merrill became UL’s first president and went on to make UL one of the world’s most recognized approvals institutes and the highest standard for product certifications and development.

Importance of UL Certification

UL applies a scientific testing approach to determine what materials, devices, products, equipment, and buildings will affect human life and property. UL tests over 19,000 different products annually, ranging from consumer electronics, alarms and security equipment to pressure gauges, medical devices, and robotics. When you’re out shopping for your home or business, UL listings are the best way to ensure you’re getting safe, well designed, and manufactured products. A product that bears the stamp of UL listing has been tested and verified that it meets UL standards for safety. Taking product certifications into consideration prior to purchasing can greatly reduce your risk of opting for lower-quality products. Similarly, the manufacturers won’t suffer reputation damage and loss of clients caused by the poor-quality products they are making and selling, which is indeed a no-win situation.

UL’s Role in International Trade

UL’s mission is to promote safe, secure, and sustainable environments for people by providing attainable safety standards and performing product safety certifications to ensure product safety in the global commodity market.

The last five to ten years has seen a huge influx of products being manufactured by overseas companies, particularly from China. While it is very tempting to purchase the less expensive option and save some money, let’s face it, there should be a deeper concern when purchasing these productsSafety! In the mind of the average purchasing agent, a gauge is a gauge and to the average homeowner, a workbench is a workbench, but not all products are created equal.

MIJA’s Commitment to Safety

MIJA is committed to providing industry leading products and exercises a deep commitment to innovative design, product development and quality. The company is dedicated to the health and safety of consumers who utilize MIJA’s products.

MIJA has over 1200 UL Listings for pressure gauges and products. Look for the UL listing mark, and you know that it is backed by a company of technical experts dedicated to the safety of the industry and the public.

Like MIJA, manufacturers that are UL certified, agree to a specific set of guidelines and monitoring.  In order for a manufacturer to apply the UL Listing to their products, that company must undergo rigorous examination, testing and follow-up surveillance of their manufacturing process and procedures and maintain compliance with nationally recognized safety standards.

Once a company and its products have passed UL Certification, manufacturers agree to routine monitoring and follow up.  On a rotating basis, UL representatives inspect facilities and products to ensure that companies are not swapping inferior components or shortcutting their assembly processes.

This is your guarantee that every product has been manufactured and assembled with the highest degree of safety.

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