Frequently Asked Questions UL Certification Safety Compliance & Custom Die-Cut Parts

UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a global independent safety science company that tests, inspects, and certifies products for safety and quality. UL — today known as UL Solutions — is a trusted product safety and certification name and has operated for over 125 years.

UL certification is a voluntary process where a product undergoes testing by UL engineers — at either UL or a UL-certified testing lab — to ensure that it meets specific safety standards and requirements.

UL certification is widely recognized and accepted by regulatory agencies, manufacturers, and consumers worldwide. The UL mark indicates that the product has been tested and certified to meet safety and environmental standards and has been manufactured per UL's rigorous standards.

UL certification covers various products, including electrical and electronic products, appliances, fire safety equipment, and building materials.

When you see a UL Mark on a product, it signifies that it has fulfilled scientific safety, quality, or security criteria, regardless of whether it is Classified, Certified or Listed. UL certification marks are found on a variety of products, including hoverboards, lightbulbs, and smoke alarms.

The UL Listed Mark may be found on various products, including furnaces and heaters, fuses, electrical panels, fire extinguishers, and more.

The UL Classified Mark appears on items that have been tested for a particular danger or performance under certain conditions, such as bullet-resistant glass.

The UL Recognized Component Mark is applied to components part of a larger product or system, such as a computer circuit board or a fan motor.

For more information, visit the UL website here Product Certification | UL Solutions.

A UL Listed product means that it has been tested and evaluated by UL and meets specific safety standards.

UL Listed products have undergone rigorous testing and are certified to meet safety and performance standards for their intended application.

Examples of UL Listed products include appliances, electrical equipment, and building materials.

A UL Recognized product means that UL has evaluated it, but not necessarily for safety.

UL Recognized products are components or materials intended to be part of a larger product or system.

UL Recognized products do not carry the same safety certification as UL Listed products but are recognized as suitable for use in specific applications.

A product that is UL Classified means that it has been tested by UL for specific properties or characteristics, such as fire resistance or sound transmission.

UL Classified products do not carry the same safety certification as UL Listed products but are classified as suitable for use in specific applications based on their tested properties.

Examples of UL Classified products include fire-resistant wall assemblies and acoustical ceiling systems.

UL Verified is a program offered by UL that helps companies demonstrate their product's performance claims. UL Verification involves a thorough review of the product, including testing and analysis, to ensure that it meets the requirements outlined by UL.

If a product has been UL Verified, it has met specific standards for safety, sustainability, performance, and other essential criteria. UL Verification can help assure customers and stakeholders that a product has been independently evaluated and verified to meet specific standards.

UL Verification can be especially important for companies looking to differentiate their products in the marketplace or demonstrate compliance with specific regulations or industry standards. UL Verification is available for a wide range of products, including electronics, appliances, building materials, and more.

UL verification and UL listed are two different certifications offered by UL.

UL verification is a process by which UL confirms that a product, service, or process meets specific standards or requirements. This type of certification is typically used for performance-based claims or marketing purposes.

UL verifies that an independent third party has evaluated and tested the product or service and meets specific criteria. Still, it does not necessarily mean that the product meets safety standards.

On the other hand, UL listed is a more comprehensive certification that indicates a product has been tested and meets safety standards established by UL.

This certification is typically required for products that could pose a safety risk, such as electrical devices, building materials, or fire protection equipment.

The term "UL Approved" is not an official UL certification term. It may refer to a product approved by UL but has not undergone the complete testing and evaluation required for official UL certification.

It is important to note that only products tested and evaluated by UL to meet its safety and quality standards can be labeled with official UL certification marks such as UL Listed or UL Recognized.

The UL certification marks can vary depending on the type of certification and product being certified. However, most UL certification marks feature the letters "UL" in a circle or next to the letters "cUL" or "ULc".

These marks may also include additional information such as the product name, model number, and other relevant details. Here are examples of common UL certification marks:

UL certification is an essential factor to consider when selecting custom die-cut parts. It demonstrates a commitment to safety and compliance, increases customer trust and confidence, and can improve sales and business opportunities.

Obtaining UL certification for custom die-cut parts can be a complex process, but at JBC Technologies, we are dedicated to assisting our customers in the UL certification process.

A UL standard is a set of guidelines and requirements established by UL for a particular type of product or industry. These standards outline the testing and evaluation criteria that products must meet to achieve UL certification.

UL standards are constantly evolving to keep up with new technologies and industry trends and are widely recognized as the benchmark for product safety and quality.

Your JBC Technologies estimator may ask you several questions to better understand your custom die-cut parts and UL certification requirements, including:

1. What are the dimensions and specifications of your custom die-cut parts?
2. What materials are your parts made of, and what are their intended uses?
3. Do your parts need to meet specific UL standards, and if so, which ones?
4. What is the expected volume and frequency of your custom die-cut parts orders?
5. Do you require any additional services such as assembly, packaging, or labeling of your parts?
6. What is your desired timeline for production and delivery of your custom die-cut parts?

There are several UL standards that may apply to custom die-cut parts, depending on their intended use and the industry they are being used in. Some of the most common UL standards that you may encounter with die-cut parts include:

1. UL 94 - Standard for Safety of Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances
2. UL 50E - Standard for Electrical Equipment Enclosures
3. UL 746C - Standard for Polymeric Materials - Use in Electrical Equipment Evaluations
4. UL 508A - Standard for Industrial Control Panels
5. UL 508 - Standard for Safety of Industrial Control Equipment

It is important to consult with a UL expert or your JBC Technologies representative to determine which UL standards apply to your specific custom die-cut parts and ensure that they meet all necessary safety and quality requirements.

There are several benefits to obtaining UL certification for your products, including:

1. Demonstrating a commitment to product safety and quality
2. Meeting regulatory and industry requirements for product safety
3. Enhancing brand reputation and customer confidence
4. Accessing new markets and customers that require UL certified products
5. Reducing the risk of product recalls and liability issues
6. Receiving support and expertise from UL's global network of testing and certification professionals.

Overall, UL certification can help businesses improve the safety, quality, and marketability of their products and enhance their overall competitiveness.

Not necessarily. While using UL-Certified materials in your custom die-cut parts is an important step towards meeting UL certification requirements, it does not automatically make your parts UL certified.

The finished product must undergo testing and evaluation by UL to determine whether it meets all necessary safety and quality standards.

Using UL-Certified materials can help simplify the certification process and improve the likelihood of your custom die-cut parts achieving UL certification.

"Tested to" a UL standard means that a product has undergone testing and evaluation by a third-party testing laboratory, such as UL, to determine whether it meets the requirements of the applicable UL standard.

However, it is important to note that being "tested to" a UL standard does not guarantee that the product is UL certified. UL certification requires not only passing the necessary testing, but also ongoing quality control and factory inspections to ensure ongoing compliance with UL standards.

Therefore, a product that is "tested to" a UL standard is not the same as a product that is UL certified.

To get your product UL-Certified, you will need to follow these general steps:

1. Determine which UL standards apply to your product based on its intended use and industry.
2. Develop and submit your product for testing and evaluation by UL or a UL-approved testing laboratory.
3. Work with UL to address deficiencies or issues identified during testing and evaluation.
4. Conduct ongoing quality control and factory inspections to maintain UL certification (this one's usually the manufacturer's responsibility).
5. Use the appropriate UL certification marks on your product and packaging.

It is important to note that the specific certification process may vary depending on the type of product and UL standard being applied. Therefore, consulting with a UL expert or your JBC Technologies representative is recommended for guidance and support throughout the certification process.

The cost and time required to have a product UL-Certified can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of product, the complexity of the necessary testing, and the level of support and guidance needed throughout the certification process.

However, the cost of UL certification can generally range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands or more. The certification process can also take weeks to months, depending on the product and testing requirements.

When designing custom die-cut parts, there are a few key considerations to remember if UL certification is desired. These include:

Material selection: By choosing UL-recognized or UL-listed materials, they have already been tested and certified by UL for use in specific applications. Using non-UL-certified materials may result in a lengthier and more costly UL certification process.

Part Design & Layout: The design and layout of the custom die-cut part should be carefully considered to ensure that it meets UL's spacing requirements. These requirements vary depending on the level of certification sought and the specific application.

Traceability: To comply with UL requirements, each custom die-cut part must allow for traceability back to the manufacturing process.

By considering these design considerations, JBC Technologies can help its customers ensure that their custom die-cut parts are designed and manufactured to meet UL certification requirements.

We can help our customers with UL certification by providing expertise and guidance throughout the certification process, offering UL-certified materials, and designing and manufacturing custom die-cut parts that meet UL standards.

Additionally, we can assist you with testing and evaluation, quality control, and ongoing compliance to ensure that your products maintain UL certification.

By partnering with a knowledgeable and experienced material converter and die cutting manufacturer like JBC Technologies, you can save time and money and have confidence in the quality and compliance of your die-cut products.

JBC Technologies works with a wide selection of performance material manufacturers that supply UL-Certified materials for die-cut parts. Here are just a few examples:

• 3M™ 3340 Foil Tape (UL181A-P and UL181B-FX Listed)
• 3M™ VHB™ Acrylic Foam Tapes (UL 746C Recognized)
• Avery Dennison FASSON® 0827 (UL 723 Classified)
• tesa 51408 High-Temperature Polyimide Tape (UL 510 Recognized)
• Armacell Ensolite® IV2 NBR/PVC/CR Foam (UL 94 V-0 Recognized)
• Rogers BISCO® HT-820 Firm Silicone Foam (UL 94 V-0 HF-1 Recognized)
• ITW Formex™ Electrical Insulation (UL 94 VTM-0/V-0, 746A/B Recognized)