Underwriters Laboratories

Counterfeit goods are products and/or packaging that bear a UL mark without having been tested or certified by UL. A product that has not gone through UL's testing and certification process could pose significant health and safety risks to consumers.

The costs of counterfeiting are estimated to be hundreds of billions of dollars each year worldwide. The costs to the US economy are estimated to be between $200-250 billion per year.

Dangers associated with counterfeit products vary depending on the type of product and the testing required. Products with the trusted UL Mark help to reduce the risk of fire, shock, and/or personal injury. Counterfeit products present potential safety hazards to the end-user.

We estimate that a very small percentage of UL Marks are being counterfeited. However, if a consumer has questions about a specific product, they can contact us and we'll verify its authenticity.

Products bearing a counterfeit UL Mark are typically high-volume, low-cost items such as extension cords and power strips.

In our experience, most counterfeit electrical products come from China. However, counterfeits can originate anywhere, in both emerging and established markets wherever counterfeiters can turn a profit.

Typically, counterfeit products are sold through discount retailers and unconventional outlets like flea markets.

Since 1995, we have assisted U.S. Customs with thousands of seizures of goods bearing counterfeit UL Marks, valued at more than $150 million.

UL has a zero tolerance policy for products bearing counterfeit UL Marks. At the discretion of U.S. Customs much of the product seized is ultimately destroyed.

Consumers should always be cautious and question products that seem to be unusually cheap, appear poorly made, or have generic packaging.

UL actively works with U.S. Customs and law enforcement agencies providing training, reference materials and guidebooks to help identify counterfeit product. In addition, UL maintains a hotline for law enforcement where suspicious shipments or products can be reported.

The labels contain security features that make them expensive and difficult to duplicate. Holographic labels and other security technologies also help law enforcement officials spot counterfeit labels.

There are five steps a manufacturer can take.

• Know where products/components are coming from and who is selling them.
• Verify shipments either through a source inspection or a personal vendor check.
• Look for the name and address of the company producing the goods which should be on the box. If there is no address, be suspicious because counterfeiters tend not to be "traceable."
• Check the quality of packaging. Most counterfeiters often use cheap packaging.
• Choose products that are sold through reputable distributors.

Counterfeiting is designed to mislead the public and all who are involved in buying and selling the product. It is hard to pinpoint where the bad product is originally made, where the shipment originates, and who is responsible for exporting the product.

UL works with U.S. Customs and other law enforcement agencies to train personnel how to identify counterfeit products. If you have information about counterfeiting activities or suspicious products, please contact the U.S. Customs hotline at 1-800-ITS-FAKE (1-800-487-3253) or UL to issue a report.

Each sector falls prey to counterfeiters. Counterfeit goods can cause monetary loss and in some cases physical injury. We all have a joint responsibility to help stop counterfeiting.

Possibly, however we work with legitimate retailers to keep counterfeit products off their shelves. Consumers should be cautious when shopping at deep discount stores.

UL is training customs personnel around the country so they can identify counterfeit UL Marks before they are released into the stream of commerce. UL has invested in anti-counterfeiting measures to protect the public from potential health and safety risks while preserving the integrity of the UL Mark.

U.S. Customs is aggressive in their efforts to identify counterfeit product around the globe. However, there is always room for improvement. UL is currently working with agencies and organizations around the world to establish best practices.

UL has a zero tolerance policy. Any actions taken to prosecute would depend on the circumstances of the violation.

Our customers are very supportive of UL's anti-counterfeiting activities. They understand the effects counterfeiting can have on their business and are interested in knowing more about how they can protect the integrity of their brand.