Marking & Labeling Systems Program
The Marking & Labeling Systems program covers labels (nameplates or markers) and label materials that have been submitted to UL for evaluation in accordance with prescribed permanence of marking performance requirements so they can be used to display information on products. Most products are required to be permanently marked with specific safety-related information such as hazards, warnings, cautionary markings, installation instructions, electrical ratings, etc. Labels and label materials that comply with the Marking & Labeling System requirements fall under UL's Component Recognition Program which provides a convenient way for manufacturers to acquire labels that meet performance of marking requirements applicable to their certified product. Marking & Labeling Systems are covered under the following four categories based on the type of product and end-use application.
| Category Name | Category Code Number (CCN) |
| Marking & Labeling Systems | PGDQ2 |
| Marking & Labeling Systems - Printing Materials | PGJI2 |
| Marking & Labeling Systems – Materials | PGGU2 |
| Marking & Labeling Systems – Limited Use | PGIS2 |
Labels and label materials Recognized under the first three category codes PGDQ2, PGJI2, and PGGU2 are tested in accordance with the test methods in ANSI/UL 969, "Marking & Labeling Systems". They are suitable for use on a wide variety of UL Certified products. Labels Recognized under the category code PGIS2 are evaluated in accordance with unique label requirements in a specific UL end-product Standard and are thus "limited in use" to the products covered under that standard.
The evaluation for Marking & Labeling Systems includes a construction examination and testing for permanency. Environmental conditioning of labels typically includes testing for exposure to high humidity or occasional exposure to water, elevated temperatures, sunlight resistance, or exposure to chemical agents. After the environmental conditioning, the labels are visually examined for curling, wrinkling, shrinkage, or loss of adhesion around the perimeter. Testing also typically includes evaluation of legibility, resistance to defacement, and adhesion.
Guidelines addressing the suitability of the label when used with the end product are included in the UL Report as "Conditions of Acceptability". The Conditions of Acceptability generally cover application surfaces, temperature ratings, and additional exposure conditions for which the label was found acceptable. The Conditions of Acceptability may also include print color limitations, label size limitations, and special use applications. The Conditions of Acceptability for labels are also published in UL's Component Online Directory.
All Recognized Component Marking and Labeling Systems are intended for application at an end-use product factory and fall under UL's Follow-Up Service (FUS) program. UL's FUS Program verifies that the products continue to be manufactured in compliance with UL's requirements.
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Marking & Labeling Systems (PGDQ2)
Marking & Labeling Systems category covers printed labels that are manufactured by a label printer/converter. As a general rule, these labels are sold as die-cut, finished printed labels. They have not been evaluated to receive additional printing by the end-use product manufacturer. See Marking & Labeling Systems Guide Information for details.
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Marking & Labeling Systems - Printing Materials (PGJI2)
Marking & Labeling Systems Printing Materials category covers printed labels and unprinted stocks that have been evaluated to receive additional printing by end-use product manufacturers using thermal transfer, laser, hot stamping, or other types of simple printing equipment. Products in this category may be sold by label material suppliers in bulk roll form or by label printer/converters as die-cut labels that are either blank or preprinted leaving blank areas in which information is to be added. The additional printing inks for which the labels have been found compatible are specified in the Recognition and only those inks are considered acceptable. The additional printing is considered an optional process for printed labels. See Marking & Labeling Systems Printing Materials Guide Information for details.
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Marking & Labeling Systems - Materials (PGGU2)
Marking & Labeling System Materials category covers label materials that are used to make labels. Products in this category include blank label stocks, laminating adhesives, and overlaminations. These products are typically produced in bulk sizes and sold to label printers/converters for the purpose of producing printed labels for Marking & Labeling Systems and Marking & Labeling Systems Printing Materials. See Marking & Labeling System Materials Guide Information for details.
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Marking & Labeling Systems - Limited Use (PGIS2)
Marking & Labeling Systems Limited Use category covers labels, cord tags (securement strap attached or flag type), and placards that have been evaluated for compliance with requirements in specific UL end-product standards where the performance requirements are either less stringent or different than those in ANSI/UL 969, "Marking and Labeling Systems." Their use is therefore limited to the types of products covered by those standards, such as enclosures for electrical equipment, power supply cords, or gate operators. See Marking & Labeling Systems Limited Use Guide Information for details on other products that can be covered under this category.
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Label Adoption
Label converters and printers who use Recognized label materials (label stocks, laminating adhesives, overlaminations) can receive the benefit of the Recognition established for the label material when establishing Recognition for their printed labels. The Conditions of Acceptability of the materials used as indicated on the Online Certifications Directory are passed along to the label converter. This reduces the cost and time to market of the Recognized label by eliminating redundant testing and reduces follow-up service costs. This process is known as "Label Adoption".
Printed labels made from Recognized label materials are not automatically considered Recognized printed labels. To establish Recognition for a printed label, the label converter/printer must submit the complete printed label system for evaluation. Depending on several factors such as the Conditions of Acceptability desired for the label and the label materials used, testing of representative samples usually is necessary.
Inks are not covered directly under the Marking & Labeling System Materials Recognition program. However, some label material manufacturers have submitted their materials to UL with printing to determine the compatibility of specific flexographic, screen printing, etc. inks with their label materials. The benefit of such testing can be passed along to the label printer during the initial label certification.
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Labels Evaluated to the Requirements of Other Standards
While all products Recognized in PGDQ2, PGJI2, and PGGU2 have been evaluated in accordance with ANSI/UL 969, "Marking and Labeling Systems", some products may be additionally evaluated for specific end-use applications such as portable ladders use and fire extinguishers use where the governing standard has requirements that go beyond those in ANSI/UL 969, "Marking and Labeling Systems".
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Recognition for Canada
Under the Canadian Certification program, UL tests products to the Canadian Standard, CSA C22.2 No. 0.15, "Adhesive Labels". Since the CSA Standard includes test methods that differ from UL 969, additional testing is necessary to grant a Canadian Recognition. Products found to be in compliance with the Canadian Standard are marked with the UL Recognition Mark for Canada. Label products certified for Canada are published under category codes PGDQ8, PGJI8, and PGGU8.
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Additional Information
The inclusion of a label supplier's name in the Marking & Labeling System program does not automatically indicate the label supplier is part of the Authorized Label Supplier Program, which authorizes the suppliers to print and distribute UL Marks.
When the UL Mark and required safety-related information are printed on the same label (referred to as a combination or custom label), the label supplier must be an Authorized Label Supplier and the label must meet the performance requirements covered by the Marking & Labeling systems program. To determine if a label supplier has coverage in both programs, search for the company name on the Online Certifications Directory.
- Authorized Label Supplier Information
- UL Marks
- Designing and Ordering UL Marks
- Contact Customer Service for additional inquiries about Marking & Labeling Systems
- Request a Quote
