September 25, 2019
Northbrook, Illinois, September 25, 2019 – UL, a leading global safety science company, announced today that its Northbrook-based lighting and IoT controls laboratory has been named by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as a Certified Body Testing Laboratory (CBTL) for IEC's Lighting and Luminaires (LITE) category.
Established by IEC as a vast international arrangement for mutual acceptance of test reports among participating certification organizations, a CBTL is able to test a product to all harmonized standards - and to any national differences - resulting in global acceptance of test reports leading to national certification required for customers’ destination markets. The designation now allows UL to conduct multiple country certifications for lighting and lighting-related products, including luminaires, lamp control gears and LED modules, among others.
UL’s CBTL designation was awarded after IEC performed an extensive onsite evaluation at UL’s lighting and IoT controls laboratory, witnessed by peer experts, that verified compliance with international requirements.
“Innovation taking place globally is quickly changing how we live, work, play and learn. Companies - particularly those addressing new light and IoT controls technologies - are continually inventing world-changing products and solutions,” said Ryan Barger, engineering leader of Global Market Access Advisory Services at UL. “Here at UL, we see how innovation presents a whole new set of challenges and help make the complex simple, the confusing apparent and the insurmountable possible. To that end, our lighting and IoT controls laboratory provides them with a one-stop-shop approach for necessary testing and evaluation to access markets in more than 50 countries.”
A leading global organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies, IEC is one of three sister organizations (IEC, ISO, ITU) that establish international standards developed by experts from industry, commerce, government, test and research labs, academia and consumer groups participate in IEC Standardization work. While UL’s IEC CBTL designation was awarded in the United States, it is recognized worldwide thanks to this IEC recognition arrangement and means that a product can be tested in the U.S. to make sure it’s complying with safety and regulatory compliance in countries throughout the world.
“Whether a customer would like to learn about how European or international regulations impact their products, the various paths available to multi-market access or would like UL to evaluate their lighting products for certification, our team has deep expertise in helping customers navigate the regulatory landscape of global markets to achieve their marketplace potential and thrive,” said Barger.
UL’s lighting and IoT controls laboratory offers safety testing and product evaluation, including certified safety and performance testing to all international standards, as well as sustainability and supply chain globalization assessments. For more information, please visit UL Lighting Advisory Services.
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UL helps create a better world by applying science to solve safety, security and sustainability challenges. We empower trust by enabling the safe adoption of innovative new products and technologies. Everyone at UL shares a passion to make the world a safer place. All of our work, from independent research and standards development, to testing and certification, to providing analytical and digital solutions, helps improve global well-being. Businesses, industries, governments, regulatory authorities and the public put their trust in us so they can make smarter decisions. To learn more, visit UL.com.