|
|
||
CSA and UL adopt expanded Memorandum of Understanding and complete first phase of mutual component acceptance programTORONTO; NORTHBROOK, ILL.; March 1, 2004 - CSA International (CSA) and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) today adopted an expanded Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and completed the first phase of a mutual acceptance program for electrical components, the first milestones of an agreement the two testing organizations signed Nov. 10, 2003. That agreement, which is designed to assist manufacturers in getting their products to Canadian and U.S. markets more quickly, without redundant testing, was the result of several months of negotiation between UL and CSA, with support from NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association), Electro-Federation Canada and major electrical manufacturers. The expanded MoU covers 50 additional component and 11 additional end-products categories as well as all of the 13 product categories covered in the original 1996 MoU, allowing manufacturers to obtain both UL and CSA certification and listing with a single product test conducted by either company. "The expanded MoU and the mutual acceptance program are part of UL's overall drive to help manufacturers get safer products to market faster," said Gus Schaefer, UL's senior vice president and chief operating officer for the United States and Canada. "We are committed to ensuring that these objectives are met." With the completion of the first phase of the component agreement, CSA and UL now accept several component categories for use in low voltage distribution and industrial control equipment. As many as 52 additional component categories and 11 additional end-product categories are being considered under the agreement. In announcing the successful completion of Phase 1 implementation activities, Grant Carter, CSA Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications, said "We are pleased with the continued support of our industry colleagues and impressed by UL's positive cooperation to meet our joint commitment to implementing Phase 1 on time. With that cooperation, we are moving forward with urgency to implement the remaining phases of these accords so that many electrical manufacturers can benefit from a more efficient, yet highly rigorous, product testing and certification process without undue delay." NEMA President Malcolm O'Hagan said, "The mutual component acceptance program is increasing the competitiveness of our electrical manufacturers by reducing costs and clearing the path to market. The expansion of the agreement by UL and CSA is commendable. We encourage the two organizations to continue with this cooperative effort." A complete listing of components and end-products covered by the expanded Mo U and the component acceptance agreement is available on the CSA website: www.csa-international.org/components and the UL website: www.ul.com/components/. About CSA InternationalCSA International is a provider of product testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products. Recognized in the U.S., Canada and around the world. CSA's marks appear on billions of products worldwide. CSA International is a division of CSA Group, which also includes CSA, a developer of standards and codes, and QMI, a leading North American management systems registrar. CSA International can be found online at www.csa-international.org. About Underwriters Laboratories Inc.Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety certification organization that has been testing products for more than 110 years. UL tests more than 18,000 different types of products annually, and more than 19 billion UL Marks appear on products each year. Worldwide, UL's family of companies and its network of service providers include 60 testing and certification facilities. UL can be found online at www.ul.com. BackgrounderPhase 1 End-Products and Components The following specific end products and components are covered under Phase 1 of the November 10, 2003, Agreement on Acceptance of Electrical Components between CSA International and Underwriters Laboratories. End-products and components included in Phase 1 will be accepted by CSA and UL effective February 28, 2004, under terms of the original agreement. Phase 1 End-Products Transfer Switches, Combination Motor Controllers, Industrial Control Panels, Motor Control Centers, Panelboards, Power Conversion Equipment, Power Outlets & Power Outlet Fittings, Switchboards, Dead Front, and Switchgear Assemblies. Phase 1 Categories of Components Fuseholders, Cartridge Type and Plug; Fuse Accessories; Ground-Fault Sensing And Relaying Equipment; Industrial Control Panels; Combination Motor Controllers; Miscellaneous Lampholders; Meter Socket Bases; and Accessories; Panelboard and Switchboard Accessories; Supplementary Protectors; Relay Sockets and Assemblies; Switches, Molded Case; Terminal Blocks; Auxiliary Devices; Motor Controllers, Float-And Pressure; Motor Controllers, Magnetic; Motor Controllers, Manual; Motor Controllers, Miscellaneous; Industrial Control, Miscellaneous Apparatus; Programmable Controllers; Protective Relays; Switches, Industrial Control A complete listing of components and end-products covered by the component acceptance agreement and the expanded Memorandum of Understanding is available on the CSA website and the UL website.
|
Home Story Ideas Press Releases Media Contacts About UL Print this Page E-mail this Page |
|||
