UL & ICC-ES Dual PMG Listing program FAQ

• What is UL?

  Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an independent product safety certification organization that has been testing products and writing Standards for Safety for over a century. For more information and statistics, visit our About UL pages.

• What is ICC-ES?

  A nonprofit, public-benefit corporation, ICC-ES^® is the United States' leader in evaluating innovative building materials, components and systems for code compliance. ICC-ES^® Evaluation Reports^® and the organization's PMG^TM Listing Program provide evidence that products and systems meet the requirements of applicable codes and standards. The International Code Council^® (ICC^®), the parent company of ICC-ES, publishes the International Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes, which have been adopted in 47 states at either the state or local level. Between them, ICC and ICC-ES have on staff a full range of PMG product experts, and professional engineers with product evaluation experience.

• Why are ICC-ES and UL now offering a dual PMG listing for plumbing products?

  The strategic alliance between ICC-ES and UL combines the strength of two highly respected and internationally recognized organizations to offer the plumbing industry a streamlined service to demonstrate compliance with codes and standards.

• What are the benefits to manufacturers of plumbing products seeking a dual ICC-ES/UL PMG listing?

  There are numerous benefits to manufacturers seeking a dual ICC-ES/UL PMG listing.

  Some of these benefits are:

  • The new dual PMG listing program provides manufacturers with a choice in service providers to show compliance through listing to both the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).
  • Ready acceptance of products by authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), due to the high recognition of the ICC-ES and UL marks.
  • Acceptance of products nationally and internationally, wherever the IPC or the UPC codes have been adopted. Additionally, products evaluated to the National Plumbing Code of Canada (NPCC) are suitable for installation in Canada.
  • Demonstration of product compliance to the new low-lead requirements in the California Health and Safety Code.
  • Demonstration of product compliance with the U.S. EPA WaterSense^SM requirements (as applicable).
  • Ability to leverage the strength of the ICC-ES and UL brands.
  • An easier way of doing business, through one point of contact for both ICC-ES and UL listings.
  • UL inspections will meet both ICC-ES and UL requirements, which will save time and money for manufacturers.
  • An expedited turn-around-time for both listings, especially when compared to seeking the listings individually.
  • Both organizations provide extensive training and support for AHJs, and are well respected by local jurisdictions.

• What are the benefits to regulators of plumbing products, of a dual ICC-ES/UL PMG listing?

  Regulators will also benefit from this new program, through:

  • Added assurance that PMG products meet the rigorous testing requirements of both ICC-ES and UL. ICC-ES, moreover, evaluates the products for code compliance.
  • Simultaneous posting of listed products, for easy access, on the websites of both ICC-ES and UL.
  • Access to UL's code correlation database, the only database of its kind in the industry. This database directly connects the listings with specific code sections, to assist AHJs in the acceptance of certified products, and to allow designers and installers to easily find code-complying products.

• What product categories are currently available for dual PMG listing?

  Plumbing fixture fittings such as faucets and supply fittings, plastic bathtub and shower units, stainless steel plumbing fixtures and flexible water connectors. The dual PMG listing program will be expanded to include additional product categories as requested by regulators, installers, and manufacturers.

• How will the dual PMG listing process work?

  Manufacturers may contact either ICC-ES or UL, using the contact information provided below. Once a request has been received by either ICC-ES or UL, designated project managers at each organization will coordinate the project from initial quoting to final invoicing. Products will first be tested according to UL's certification scheme. Facilities where the product is manufactured will be inspected by UL to both UL and ICC-ES requirements. UL will make a decision based on this inspection and its test data to grant a UL Mark. UL will also provide ICC-ES its test report on the product, and ICC-ES will perform its own evaluation of the product to ICC-ES requirements. ICC-ES will make it own decision on whether it will issue a certificate for this product.

  UL will serve as primary administrator for the project, issuing the initial quotation, general service agreement and invoice. Follow-up surveillance will also be performed by UL.

• What are the inspection frequencies?

  Depending on the product type, inspections may occur biannually or quarterly. These inspections will benefit the manufacturer by validating that the product continues to meet all requirements. Manufacturers who already have UL listings in other product categories will have their inspections done by the same inspector who is currently visiting the facility, thus minimizing the number and the cost of inspections.

• Which codes and standards does the dual PMG listing cover?

  The dual PMG listing covers both the IPC and UPC, any referenced standards in these codes, and any applicable prescriptive requirements in the codes. Products intended for distribution in Canada will be evaluated in accordance with the National Plumbing Code of Canada.

• Is the dual PMG listing accepted nationwide and globally?

  Acceptance of products nationally and internationally, wherever the IPC or the UPC codes have been adopted. Additionally, products evaluated to the National Plumbing Code of Canada (NPCC) are suitable for installation in Canada. The International Code Council^® (ICC^®), the parent company of ICC-ES, publishes the International Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes, which to-date have been adopted in 47 states at either the state or local jurisdiction level and countries including Mexico, Jamaica, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

• How will products that have obtained the dual PMG listing be marked?

  Successfully listed products will bear both the UL Plumbing Mark and ICC-ES PMG Mark. For more detailed information regarding displaying these marks, visit http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/corporate/aboutul/ulmarks/promotional/ and http://www.icc-es-pmg.org/pdf/rules_procedure-PMG.pdf

• How long does it take to obtain a dual PMG listing?

  Typical products will take 8-12 weeks for evaluation, after all formulation and product information is received by UL. ICC-ES and UL will work in parallel to schedule concurrent review of product, and both organizations will ensure timely turn-around.

• Will the cost of a dual ICC-ES/UL PMG listing differ from the cost of obtaining these listings individually?

  Overall cost will be less than individual listings, due to efficiencies gained in administrative and inspection requirements. Further, clients will save on their administrative costs, by working with just one organization.

• When will the dual PMG listing be available?

   

  It's available right now. For application information, contact

  Tom Bowman
  Program Owner
  Underwriters Laboratories
  847.664.3796
  Thomas.A.Bowman@us.ul.com

  or

  Richard Beck
  Principal Mechanical Engineer
  ICC-ES
  800.423.6587 xt. 5690
  rbeck@icc-es.org

  For general information, contact

  Juan Zaragoza
  Client Services Manager
  ICC-ES
  800.423.6587 xt. 3447
  jzaragoza@icc-es.org

• What if there is a discrepancy between the IPC and the UPC?

  If a product is not permitted by one or the other code, the products would not be eligible for a dual PMG listing. ICC-ES, however, will continue to offer the option to list to the IPC separately.

• What if the product is an alternative to what is covered in the code?

  ICC-ES has a process for developing listing criteria that UL will use to certify the product.

• What if my product is already listed by ICC-ES or UL?

  Products already certified by either organization are eligible for this program. Simply contact your ICC-ES or UL representative for further details.

• What if I only want an ICC-ES certificate or a UL listing?

  Both the ICC-ES certificate and the UL Mark will continue to be available separately.

• Where can I find listing information on products that have met requirements of ICC-ES and UL?

  UL Listed products can be found on UL's Online Certifications Directory (www.ul.com/database) or through UL's Code Correlation Database at (www.ul.com/regulators/codelink).

  ICC-ES Listed products can be found at: www.icc-es.org/pmg.

  Products that bear both certifications marks will have a link between the two organizations' listings.