June 25, 2026
Key Points
- The new automotive EMC laboratory in Toyota City, Japan, expands UL Solutions’ global testing capacity for high-voltage, high-current, high-torque and high-speed rotational testing.
- Advanced EMC testing helps mitigate interference risks in complex vehicle systems, helping protect critical functions like braking, steering and engine control.
- This investment supports automotive innovation, as the industry shifts toward autonomous and software-defined vehicles.
The demands of the automotive industry are shifting. As the complexity of vehicle systems has increased, so has manufacturers’ need for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing. UL Solutions’ latest investment in Japan reflects how the automotive landscape is evolving rapidly and why testing capabilities must keep pace.
Below is an explanation of what UL Solutions’ new laboratory means for the industry.
What exactly did UL Solutions announce?
UL Solutions has opened a new automotive EMC laboratory in Toyota City, Japan, significantly expanding its global testing footprint. The Automotive Technology and Innovation Center (ATIC) is designed to support next-generation vehicles and will begin operations in July 2026.
Why does EMC testing matter more now?
As vehicles integrate more electronics, higher voltages and faster computing systems, the risk of electromagnetic interference increases. This interference can disrupt essential vehicle functions, including braking, steering and engine control.
UL Solutions’ EMC testing helps manufacturers ensure that all these systems operate reliably together, especially as the industry shifts toward autonomous and software-defined vehicles. In short, as innovation accelerates, so does the need for rigorous testing.
Why is Japan such a strategic location?
Japan remains one of the most important automotive markets globally, producing more than 8 million vehicles annually. Toyota City, located in the Tokai region, sits at the center of this ecosystem, making it an ideal location for closer collaboration with leading automakers and suppliers.
By expanding its presence there, UL Solutions is positioning itself where innovation is actively being developed and deployed.
What services does this new facility offer?
The new laboratory is equipped to handle some of the most demanding automotive testing requirements and is designed to support the rise of autonomous and software-defined vehicles, as well as increasingly compressed innovation and development cycles. It is one of the few EMC laboratories in Japan that provides high-voltage, high-current, high-torque and high-speed rotational testing.
These services allow manufacturers to evaluate how complex electrical systems perform under realistic operating conditions, helping identify potential risks before vehicles reach the market.
How do these services support automotive innovation?
Speed is becoming a competitive advantage in automotive development. Automakers are under pressure to bring new technologies to market faster, while still meeting strict safety and regulatory standards in global markets.
By expanding its facility and capabilities in the heart of Toyota City, UL Solutions gives manufacturers faster access to advanced EMC testing and specialized expertise, helping them shorten development cycles without compromising reliability or compliance.
What’s the bigger industry impact?
This investment underscores a broader shift: As vehicles become more electrified, connected and software-driven, testing infrastructure is no longer a back-end function. Manufacturers now view it as a critical enabler of innovation.
Independent, science-based validation, like the testing UL Solutions provides, plays a key role in helping companies confidently scale new technologies across global markets.
The bottom line
By expanding its capabilities in one of the world’s leading automotive hubs, UL Solutions is helping ensure that the next generation of vehicles can meet the demands of performance, safety and global compliance, without slowing innovation.
Where can I learn more?
For more details on this announcement, read the press release.
Additional information about the services UL Solutions provides is available on the Automotive EMC Testing and Certification page at UL.com.
Photo caption: UL Solutions executives celebrate the grand opening of the Automotive Technology and Innovation Center in Toyota City, Japan, on June 24.