UL: Underwriters Laboratories

Who They Are & What They Create

UL is a global safety science company that provides testing, inspection, and certification services. While they are best known for their UL Mark on products, they are also a major SDO, publishing a wide range of standards for product safety, performance, and environmental sustainability. Their standards are primarily focused on preventing injury and property damage.

Industries Supported

• Consumer Products (appliances, electronics)
• Electrical & Lighting
• Building & Construction Materials
• Fire & Security Systems
• Industrial Equipment

Detailed History

UL was founded in 1894 by William Henry Merrill, an electrical engineer who was investigating the safety risks of early electrical systems at the World’s Fair in Chicago. He saw the need for an independent organization to test and verify the safety of new electrical products. This led to the creation of Underwriters’ Electrical Bureau, which later became Underwriters Laboratories. The UL Mark became a trusted symbol for safety. Over the decades, UL expanded its work from electrical safety to virtually every other industry, including fire prevention, building materials, and more recently, cybersecurity.