FUS news  

"UL Mark Surveillance Requirements" document released

Harmonizes general requirements into single source

December 9, 2010 -- UL has released a Customer Facing Document titled "UL Mark Surveillance Requirements" that contains general requirements for the UL Mark Follow-Up Services program.  These general requirements are not new, and have previously been in place in various requirements documents such as Appendix pages, Follow-Up Inspection Instructions, Global Service Agreements, and customer bulletins.

These requirements have now been harmonized into one single-source document to establish a common basis of understanding for both UL and customers. As requirements evolve in the future, this single-source document can be readily updated and communicated to everyone in a timely, inexpensive manner.

A manufacturer having questions on these general requirements may be directed to the Field Representative or their supervisor.

Process changes provide increased customer benefits and maintain Mark integrity

Inspection change reduces impact to production schedules

June 21, 2010 -- Over the past several months, UL has been improving the Follow-up Service variation notice process to increase simplicity, speed, and consistency. Process changes address customer concerns over delays encountered when shipments are held because of product variations.

To minimize the disruption in production that an immediate hold-shipment order typically creates, UL Field Representatives will not routinely require holding shipment for product change variations while UL investigates whether a temporary acceptance can be granted. Determination of temporary acceptance under our new processes can usually be expected within a few days.

We expect this change will reduce the production-line impact on manufacturers through missed shipping deadlines, a waste of materials, time and other business resources.

Corrective action identification introduced to avoid repeat variations.

Also, Field Representatives will begin to increase awareness and assist manufacturers with strategies to take corrective action in response to identified Variation Notices in order to prevent them from recurring.

Manufacturers with active quality control programs will be reminded to take action to reduce repeat variations, which will produce several benefits such as reduced waste.  Those without corrective action programs in place may benefit from training offered through UL University.