Proexport conferences
Requirements for application of U.L. safety
certification marks on electrical products
Presented by Bob Crane – Underwriters Laboratories
© 2012 UL LLC
What is the UL Certification
Mark ? It is…
A declaration that UL has tested
and evaluated representative
samples of that product and
determined that
they meet UL requirements for
safety.
Evidence of follow-up agreements
and periodic inspections
between the manufacturer and UL
A voluntary Mark
© 2012 UL LLC
Why do manufacturers come to
UL to have their products tested?
Untested Electrical Products = Potential Fire
And protection against…….
What it isn’t…
An approval
An endorsement
A warranty
Legally mandated
6
Products submitted to
certification
laboratories are
evaluated and tested
in accordance with
recognized and
accepted Standards
such as Underwriters
Laboratories Inc.
Standard for Safety
UL by the numbers
UL Certification Marks
… signify that representative
samples of a product have
been tested & found to comply
with UL safety requirements
… production samples are
inspected randomly at factories
throughout the world
… appear on products in the
form of labels, stampings, or
silk screenings
9
Reasons Consumers Look for
the UL Mark
Safety symbol
A Mark consumers can trust
© 2012 UL LLC
Reasons Consumers Look
for the UL Mark
Global outreach
Safety confidence
© 2012 UL LLC
Reasons Consumers Look
for the UL Mark
Trusted and preferred brand
Safety resource
© 2012 UL LLC
Reasons Consumers Look
for the UL Mark
Committed to educating generations of
safety conscious consumers
.
© 2012 UL LLC
Reasons Consumers Look
for the UL Mark
Standards development expertise
© 2012 UL LLC
Reasons Consumers Look
for the UL Mark
Recognized partner of safety
committed organizations
© 2012 UL LLC
Reasons Consumers Look
for the UL Mark
Anti-counterfeiting efforts
© 2012 UL LLC
Reasons Manufacturers Seek
the UL Mark
A trusted safety Mark for over a century
Brand and recognition
© 2012 UL LLC
Reasons Manufacturers Seek
the UL Mark
Global reach
Technical expertise
© 2012 UL LLC
Reasons Manufacturers Seek
the UL Mark
Competitive advantage
Standard development expertise
© 2012 UL LLC
Reasons Manufacturers Seek
the UL Mark
Trusted partner
.
Research and development capabilities
© 2012 UL LLC
Reasons Manufacturers Seek
the UL Mark
Industry thought leader
.
Flexibility
.
© 2012 UL LLC
Submitting your Products to UL
1. Start with UL requirements early in
your product development cycle.
2. Obtain a copy of the UL Standard
for Safety used to evaluate your
product.
.
3. Use UL Recognized
Components to reduce
required testing.
4. Assess your product
against UL requirements.
© 2012 UL LLC
Submitting your Products to UL
5. Provide complete set of
product documentation.
6. Be aware of shipping
requirements that can affect
project timeline and costs.
7. Make your testing work
harder for you.
8. Keep the lines of
communication open.
© 2012 UL LLC
24
Due to dramatically increasing number of
U.L. counterfeited products, UL and U.S.
Customs and Border Protection developed
Partnership over 15 years ago
Extremely Successful in operation.
Where its common
• Extension cords
• Power strips
• Current taps
• Nightlights
• AC/DC adapters
• Decorative lighting
• Lamps
• Low cost, off-brand consumer electronics
…And where you wouldn’t think
Where are counterfeit products typically found?
Counterfeiting robs
the US of ????? $$$$$
$250 Billion annually
Over $500 Billion globally
33
Source: USCBP Fiscal Year 2011 Report
Seized electrical products with counterfeited
UL certifications marks ……. over 97%
Target Importers
He doesn’t care about your safety
JAIL
Bill signed into law March 16, 2006
H.R. 32 – The “Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act”
Purpose: To amend title 18, United States Code, Section 2320, to
provide criminal penalties for trafficking in counterfeit marks.
Status:
• Passed in the Senate on February 15, 2006
• Passed in the House of Representatives on March 7, 2006
• Scheduled for signature by the President, March 16, 2006, law is
effective upon signature
UL’s Position
Zero Tolerance Policy
It is the policy of UL LLC (UL) not to consent to the importation,
exportation, or manipulation of merchandise that has been seized
by US Customs or any other international law enforcement agency for
bearing counterfeit UL Certification Marks. This policy is uniformly
applied and is considered reasonable and necessary in order to protect
the integrity of UL’s Registered Marks.
UL does not compromise or negotiate with respect to this policy.
Crooks Busted!
40
UL Listed Mark Elements
UL trademark
“LISTED” in capital letters
Control Number
LISTED
2J78
CLASS 2 POWER SUPPLY
Product Identity (may
be optional if molded in)
The UL Listing Mark will always be on the product!
(unless size & shape doesn’t permit then on the smallest unit packaging)
Other Markings
UL File Number (optional)
E123456
LISTED
2J78
CLASS 2 POWER SUPPLY
Model No. ABC-987
Holographic Labels for Certain Products
Decorative Lighting Strings
& Outfits
Extension Cords
Fixtures
Flexible Cord
Lamps
Nightlights
Outlet Strips
Gold Holograms introduced July 2008
UL Component Recognition Mark
The Component Recognition
marking is found on wide
range of products.
Components may have
restrictions on their
performance
or may be incomplete in
construction
45
UL Component Recognition Mark
Component
REQUIRED MARKINGS
Catalog, Type or
Model Designation and
Company Identification:
Trade-name or file
number e.g. E210882
Education – Law Enforcement
• Training for US Customs and
Border Protection personnel
• Training for Immigration and
Customs Enforcement personnel
• Training for other federal and local
agencies (FBI, DOJ, USPTO, local
police, Fire Marshals, etc.)
• Training for international
authorities (police agencies,
INTERPOL, Customs, etc.)
Education – Outreach
• Membership in anti-counterfeiting
industry organizations and task forces
• Provide testimony to US Senate and
Canadian Parliamentary Committees
• Primary sponsor and organizer of the
International Law Enforcement IP Crime
Conference – 2007 and 2008
• Participation as keynote speakers
and/or panelists at various industry
events
• ACO web site (www.UL.com/ace)
• Internal training and awareness
UL’s Commitment to Law
Enforcement• A timely response to all inquiries;
• Complete and full product analysis, professional
reports and timely disclosure;
• On-site authentication of UL-marked products as
required by law enforcement during the execution
of warrants;
• UL expert witness testimony as needed at all
judicial proceedings;
• Trademark registration certificates (at UL’s
expense);
• Victim impact statements;
• Any other assistance your agency may require.
Partnerships
Common Types of Problems/Hazards
Encountered in Counterfeit Electrical Products
Undersized and/or faulty wiring
Plastics with inadequate impact and
flammability resistance
Poor electrical connections
All of the above could lead to fire and/or shock hazards
Undersize copper
found in 16 awg labeled cord
White sample from true 16awg cord
Blue wire in cord
marked as 16awg
Indoor Extension Cord undergoing testing
Undersized wire,
poor insulation
Products seized by US Customs and Border Protection
Counterfeit Hand Mixer
55
Which “Battery” Charger is counterfeit ?
Price appears to good to be true…… Buyer Beware
(marked $49.99)
Purchased at flea market for
$4.99
If the price is too good to be
true you should be
suspicious
Products seized during Houston raid
58
Counterfeit Power Strip undergoing testing
Undersized wire,
poor insulation
Identifying Real Square D Circuit Breakers
Real
wire terminal plate
on real breaker
is against case
mounting clip on real
breaker is yellow
Chromate& half of
top of clip is visible
Counterfeit
U/L label on real
Breaker is mounted
upside down
arc shoot opening on
real breaker has
squared corners
& bottom
edge of opening
is angled up
Counterfeit Circuit Breakers are Dangerous!
Circuit Breaker Exploding During Test
Warning signs
that products may be counterfeit
Any product that references UL on the carton/product but has no
company name or address
Any product that references UL on the packaging, but not on the
product itself
Cheap, shoddy workmanship/packaging
If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably counterfeit.
Purchase electrical products only at reputable dealers.
62
For more information on UL’s
anticounterfeiting Operations




www.ul.com/ace
Email – Anticounterfeiting@us.ul.com
Contact Info
My contact info: Robert Crane
Robert.K.Crane@ul.com
UL certification inquiries for
Colombia manufacturers
can be directed to:
Sales.la@ul.com
Customerservice.br.@ul.com
Use all products safely………….
THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS ?
THANK YOU.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed herein are those of the right owner and do
not necessarily reflect position of U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP). Decisions as to whether or not merchandise
should be detained or seized for infringing protected intellectual
property rights are to be made in accordance with established
procedures by CBP personnel as the appropriate management level
of the concerned field office. CBP personnel who have questions
arising form this product identification training material or manual
should call the IPR Helpdesk at 562-980-3119, ext. 252, or the IPR
and Restricted Merchandise Branch, Regulations and Rulings at
(202) 325-0020.