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Perform 2020

Perform

Meeting our customers' needs in a constantly changing world 

 

Accelerating the pace of innovation

All industries are fueled by innovation. As the global safety science leader, UL is uniquely positioned to help our customers see all the possibilities and confidently bring exciting new products to market.

 

 

Achieving historic safety firsts


 

Enhancing micromobility safety

Panasonic became the first organization to certify to UL 2849, the Standard for Electrical Systems for eBikes, for their GXO and GXL models, BEP-NUA251F and BEP-NUA252F series. The UL 2849 Standard aims to minimize risks from e-bike system fires or explosions, such as lithium-ion battery thermal runaway, as well as electric shock hazards. With this certification, UL continues to help innovators quickly bring to market safer and more sustainable electric mobility products.

Reducing fire risks

Fire safety systems, such as automatic detection and alarms, smoke ventilation systems, water suppression, lightning conductors and fire doors, all have specific requirements for maintenance and routine inspection. It can be difficult for building owners and managers to accurately track and manage all of these critical tasks. Our software platform, UL Built InForm™, makes it easier to proactively protect occupants from fires and other safety risks. We developed this solution in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, which is still under investigation, and highlighted the need for more comprehensive building management solutions.

Cord-free EV charging

The Lumen Group worked with UL’s engineers and laboratory technicians globally on the safety and performance of their wireless power transfer charging equipment. Using this technology, the driver of an electric vehicle (EV) can simply park in a designated location to charge their EV — no cords or direct contact needed. This pioneering work may lead to further innovations, such as enabling an EV to charge whenever it is stopped, such as at drive throughs, toll booths or stoplights. The Lumen Freedom wireless power transfer system was the first to achieve certification to UL 2750, the Outline of Investigation for Wireless Power Transfer Equipment for Electric Vehicles.

Innovative energy options

Bidirectional chargers power up EVs and, at the same time, provide energy back to the electrical grid. This technology enables EV owners to earn money while they are parked for doing their part to help stabilize the power grid. Fermata Energy’s bidirectional electric vehicle charging system is the first in the world to be Certified to UL 9741, the Standard for Bidirectional Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging System Equipment.

 

Strengthening security in new, connected arenas


 

Enhancing mobile payment security

Provider of secure personal authentication for mobile payment solutions, MYPINPAD is the first company globally to be certified to the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council’s Contactless Payments on COTS (CPoC™).This means that MYPINPAD SoftPOS meets key security requirements that help ensure the payment process is protected. With this certification, UL is helping open new customer experiences and economic opportunities for merchants who now can bypass traditional credit card terminals and conduct a contactless transaction on a smartphone or tablet without any external hardware.

Protecting the connected home

GE Appliances is the world’s first household appliance brand to test its connected products against UL’s IoT Security Rating assessment, a security verification and labeling solution for consumer Internet of Things (IoT) products. Using an easily understood grading system on product labels enables manufacturers and developers to clearly communicate the security features of their products, helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions.

“We are extremely excited about our collaboration with UL. With its extensive experience in the payments industry, UL has helped MYPINPAD drive trust with both partners and customers and paved the way for significant adoption of a disruptive technology that has the potential to change forever card payment transaction schemes.”

  • Justin Pike
  • chairman and founder, MYPINPAD

 

Meeting the sustainability challenges of the future 


 

Reducing ocean pollution

Each year, more than 11 million metric tons of plastics enter oceans, a number that is estimated to triple by 2040, according to the Ocean Conservancy and the Pew Research Center. UL and OceanCycle are collaborating to reduce ocean plastic pollution by supporting the harvesting and recycling of plastic waste before it enters oceans. To build manufacturer and purchaser confidence in the use of these materials, the two companies are working together to increase market access and awareness of the standards for recycled plastics.

Innovating responsibly

HP focuses on using sustainable materials in their innovative products while also creating good economic opportunities for underserved communities. The company is the first to achieve validation to UL 2809, the Environmental Claim Validation Procedure (ECVP) for Recycled Content Standard, which now includes auditing social responsibility procedures. HP achieved their recycled content validations from UL for five of their resins, which contain content from recycled, ocean-bound plastic.

“HP believes that what’s good for the environment is good for both business and society. We recognize the importance of third-party validation in bringing recycled content claims to market. Validation to UL’s recycled content Standard helps ensure we are transitioning to a circular economy reliably and transparently while creating a positive social impact for plastic collector communities.”

  • Ellen Jackowski
  • chief sustainability and social impact officer, HP Inc. 

Managing safety risks

UL Field Evaluations helped a nationwide wellness retailer to meet sustainability goals and manage employee and workplace safety risks. The retailer installed energy management systems (EMS) to support its sustainability and cost management initiatives. Eager to ensure compliance of the equipment, the retailer partnered with UL to perform on-site and virtual safety evaluations of the EMS to NEC requirements. 

Enhancing Field Engineering

Customers are at the center of everything we do. We strive to understand the needs of our customers and to make interactions with UL as seamless as possible. Acting on customer feedback to enhance our UL Follow-Up Services program, we launched several programs to streamline the way customers engage with us. The Enhanced Partnership Model moves our customers into a predictable, simplified invoicing structure allowing for future enhancement of our services. Our Field Services app allows our customers to easily purchase and repeat label orders on an easy to navigate e-commerce solution.

“For field engineers, one of the biggest benefits of Business Resource Groups is their power to connect people across physical distances and build a sense of community and belonging across the entire company.”

  • Sherrie Matterness
  • program/project manager, UL's Field Operations

 

Our sustainability commitment

At UL, we are on a shared mission with our customers and stakeholders to make the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place. As a Signatory to the UN Global Compact, we maintain a principles-based approach to doing business that motivates us to achieve positive outcomes for our customers and stakeholders through prioritizing the sustainability of our planet, its people and prosperity.

As we support our customers’ sustainability goals through our solutions, we drive progress on all UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through our operations and the corporate sustainability initiatives we undertake, we target the following SDGs:

SDG #3: Good health and well-being

Goal No. 3

Good Health and Well-Being — Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages

 

SDG #11: Sustainable cities and communties

Goal No. 11

Sustainable Cities and Communities — Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

 

SDG #12: Responsible consumption and production

Goal No. 12

Responsible Consumption and Production — Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

 

 

Our corporate sustainability initiatives

To discover more about our corporate sustainability initiatives, read the UL Sustainability Report.

Read the report

 

Supporting new possibilities

As part of UL’s commitment to the UN SDGs, we provided pro bono certification and funding for a renewable solar-powered light developed by Watts of Love, a nonprofit organization bringing safe, clean lighting to some of the world’s poorest communities. Watts of Love solar lights eliminate dependency on dangerous and toxic kerosene as a light source, improving the health and well-being of each recipient and their family. Every light is distributed in tandem with a financial literacy program that teaches participants how to convert the resulting kerosene savings (upward of 15% of a family’s earnings) into sustainable income.