September 21, 2026
Key Points
- UL Solutions shared expertise on voluntary sustainability standards and supply chain connectivity at a recent APEC workshop.
- Manufacturers can use international standards and conformity assessment programs to support credible sustainability claims and global market access.
- UL Solutions highlighted its ECOLOGO® certification program as an example of how voluntary sustainability standards can help build trust.
As sustainability requirements expand globally, manufacturers today face growing demands to demonstrate compliance in ways that are credible, transparent and recognized across markets.
UL Solutions recently participated in the workshop “Exploring the Role of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) in APEC Connectivity Activities” to share expertise and exchange views with stakeholders. Held in Dalian, China, on Aug. 25–26, the workshop was organized by the China Association for Standardization (CAS) in collaboration with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards (UNFSS).
The event brought together government officials, international organizations, industry representatives and sustainability experts from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss how sustainability standards can support trade, supply chain connectivity and regulatory cooperation.
The 21 member economies in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum account for a significant portion of global trade, making regulatory cooperation and trusted sustainability approaches increasingly important for international commerce and innovation.
Representing UL Solutions, Steven Shi, general manager of UL-CCIC, shared expertise on helping governments, businesses and consumers build trust in sustainability claims while supporting efficient market access.
“Trust is the foundation of meaningful sustainability claims,” said Shi. “When standards are transparent, science-based and supported by credible third-party assessment, they can help businesses, suppliers, regulators and consumers make informed decisions.”
Ann Weeks, vice president of public affairs at UL Solutions, underscored the importance of compatibility among compliance frameworks as a means of enabling VSS to scale. As sustainability requirements continue to evolve across economies, greater compatibility of standards and conformity assessment approaches can help reduce complexity for businesses while promoting safety and supporting consumer confidence.
Drawing on its extensive science-based experience, UL Solutions also shared best practices to help manufacturers navigate regulatory complexity and global market access and explored how they can leverage international consensus standards to substantiate sustainability claims.
As one example, UL Solutions highlighted its ECOLOGO® certification program, which demonstrates how voluntary sustainability programs can support trustworthy market claims. Voluntary sustainability standards can complement regulatory frameworks by helping companies demonstrate responsible practices across global supply chains and support resilient trade and investment flows.
UL Solutions remains committed to working with governments, businesses and standards organizations around the world to advance trusted sustainability, safety and security solutions.
Additional information is available on the ECOLOGO® fact sheet at UL.com.
Photo caption: Steven Shi represents UL Solutions at the APEC workshop on voluntary sustainability standards.