Bolder UL Mark
The UL symbol is recognized globally as one of safety. Each year UL customers proudly display the Mark to demonstrate they have taken the initiative to have their product certified by UL. If the evaluation is successful manufacturers submit their factories to periodic unannounced inspections by representatives of UL who audit production to determine the manufacturer's continued compliance with UL's requirements.
For more than a century, the UL Mark remained substantially unchanged. On Dec. 15, 1997 UL announced a change to make the Mark more prominent on products, packaging and promotional material. The change involved making the weight of all key elements of the UL Mark the same. Manufacturers were given 10 years to transition to the new bolder Mark.
The new bolder Mark is required on products, packaging and literature after Jan. 1, 2008. The bolder Marks for both Listed and Classified products may be downloaded from UL's Web site. Also available on this site is a description of the proper proportions of various elements of the UL Mark.
Two other changes took place on Jan. 1, 2008:
- Type L Listing Marks no longer contains the words "Underwriters Laboratories Inc." This had been the practice in several product categories for many years. Effective Jan. 1, 2008, both Type L and Type R Marks will now use only the bolder UL Mark.
- The UL Classification Mark no longer contains the words "Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Classified" or "Classified by Underwriters Laboratories Inc." This wording has been replaced by the UL Classification Mark shown below.
Casting, stamping or molding
UL recognizes that when the UL Mark is cast, stamped or molded into a product, it may not be possible to maintain the thicker proportions. It is therefore acceptable when casting, stamping or molding to proportionally reduce the thickness of the UL Mark letters "U" and "L" and the circle as shown by dimensions D, E, and F in the attached file under "Relative Design & Proportion of the UL Mark."
Action by UL customers
Manufacturers replacing text referencing Underwriters Laboratories Inc. with the appropriate UL Mark are required to submit a label layout of their proposed Mark to a UL Label Center prior to placing their next order for UL Marks. Manufacturers who are only replacing the thin UL Mark with a bold UL Mark are not required to submit a label layout.
If you have questions regarding the bolder Mark or submitting a label layout, please contact any UL Label Center.
For customers needing additional time to comply with the bolder UL Mark requirement, you must register at MyHome @UL to complete the request form with plan and date for compliance. You can request additional time (until December 31, 2010) to comply. Once you submit the form you will receive an automated e-mail confirmation. If additional time beyond three years is needed, you will be asked to provide the rationale and your request will be routed to a UL Label Center for review.
If you already have an account at MyHome @UL you may go directly to the MyHome @UL login page. If you need to open an account go to MyHome @UL to complete the activation, then log in and access the form. Manufacturers not in compliance with the new bolder Mark by March 31, 2008, or who fail to request additional time to comply using MyHome by March 31, 2008, will be issued a Variation Notice by the UL field representative.
