Marks Hub - Help Desk

Why did UL Solutions change the design of its certification Mark?

UL Solutions recognized that we needed to provide a smarter, more concise way to communicate multiple certifications for a product. We created the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Marks to establish a flexible, systematic approach for communicating the scope and geographic region of certification in clearer, more easily understandable language. The change also enables us to introduce a platform that provides more transparency by allowing easier access to certification information.

What are the benefits of the change?

There are several:

• The Enhanced and Smart Certification Mark system responds to marketplace needs for clearer and more detailed information about products.

• It focuses the Mark information on communicating the certifications that a product has attained instead of on the service delivered by UL Solutions.

• It enables customers to make better use of the available space on their products.

• The promotional badge provides an attractive means for customers to promote their UL certifications.

What types of products will carry the Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark?

The majority of Listed, Classified and Performance Verified products can use the Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark. Recognized Components are out of scope and will continue to use the current UL Component Recognition Mark.

Is there a required implementation date for the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Marks?

UL Solutions encourages customers to transition to the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark and Badge system as soon as they can. In the meantime, the UL Listed and Classified Marks, and Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Marks will appear on products currently in the marketplace.

Is approval needed to use the Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark design, and how much does UL Solutions charge for that review?

UL Solutions will review an Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark design before either is used, as we do for our other certification Marks. The review will take place via the Marks Hub at no cost to our customers.

Are there additional costs to include the QR code (smart UL certification Mark) if a product is already using an Enhanced UL Certification Mark?

There are no additional costs from UL Solutions to use the Smart UL Certification Mark or smart badge on UL certified products. The smart Mark and smart badge are options in the enhanced Mark and badge system. Please check directly with your label supplier to determine if there are any increased printing costs to add the QR code to your label.

Does UL Solutions provide labels featuring the Smart UL Certification Mark?

Standard labels provided by UL Solutions will not use the smart Mark. However, combination or custom labels can be created using the smart Mark.

How does the conversion to the Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark take place?

Simply create the appropriate artwork through the Marks Hub, and have it reviewed and approved by UL Solutions. Customers can begin implementing an Enhanced or Smart Certification Mark once we have approved the Mark configuration. Customers can then download the artwork and order labels from an Authorized Label Supplier or apply the artwork using their own labeling technology.

What is the total cost to implement the Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark?

Customers simply substitute the Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark for the UL Listed or Classified Mark being used today. Each customer may have some internal costs related to transitioning to a new Mark design.

What are the ongoing costs of using the Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark?

The ongoing costs are the same as those for using any UL certification Mark. There are no costs specifically related to the enhanced or smart UL Mark. Please check directly with your label supplier to determine if there are any changes in printing costs to add the QR code to your label.

When it is scanned, where does the QR code in the Smart UL Certification Mark and Badge direct a user?

The unique QR code links directly to a detailed public certification page managed and maintained by UL Solutions through the Marks Hub.

What can be viewed on the desktop and mobile certification pages?

It depends on what information UL Solutions has about a certified product, but typically a certification page includes:

• A sample image of the UL Mark or promotional badge

• A status indicator noting that the product is certified by UL

• Product manufacturer name

• The CCN or CCNs a product may be certified under

• Product unique identifier (file number)

• Often, a list of models certified under the unique identifier (file number)

• Customer-provided information such as link to corporate or product web site, corporate logo and product image, and contact details for more information about a product

• Other documents that a customer would like to share publicly regarding a product

• All details about our certification of a product are sourced from the data publicly available from us today. The information shared on a certification page is identical for both the desktop and mobile pages.

Who can view a desktop or mobile certification page? What equipment or permissions are required to view these pages?

Anyone with a product’s unique identifier can view the desktop version of a certification page. For a mobile product page, anyone with a smart device with a QR code reader can view the information available there. There are no special permissions required to access either the desktop or mobile product pages.

Who writes, edits and approves the content of the certification page?

The UL certification information related to a product is populated automatically to a certification page, based on the unique identifier and other information provided by a customer. UL Solutions will determine that the unique identifier (file number), CCN and any information appearing on the smart UL Mark or badge are accurate before approving them or a certification page. Customers provide the additional information pertaining to product and company website, company logo, product image, etc., and are responsible for ensuring that this information is accurate.

What is the promotional badge?

The badge is an optional tool for customers to use to promote their UL certifications. It has been optimized for use on packaging, marketing collateral and websites.

Will customers continue to use a UL certification Mark for promotional purposes?

No. The promotional badge is the preferred tool to promote UL certifications.

Can a customer use the promotional badge to promote products with a legacy UL Listed or Classified Mark?

No. The badge can be used only to promote products that have transitioned to the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark.

How is the Mark information determined?

Mark information is based on the types of certification offered by UL Solutions and is intended to provide details to the marketplace about the scope of our certification.

What is the order of the Mark information?

Generally, the Mark information begins with the certification attribute with any required country code and ends with the unique identifier (the file number, if available). There are some exceptions to this, depending on the certification program and the regulatory requirements of specific certification schemes.

What attributes are available for the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark and Badge System? Can the information vary?

The following text must be used for the defined attribute. The text for an attribute cannot vary from the text shown below:

Can more than one file number be used as a unique identifier?

Only one file number can be used as a unique identifier on an Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark. If there is a desire to include additional unique identifiers, they can be included as ancillary information, i.e., the unique identifier in parentheses after the associated product name.

What is the appropriate orientation of the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark?

The orientation of the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark is determined by the number and length of the attributes needed to describe a product's certifications. In all cases, the enhanced and smart Mark can be used in a vertical orientation. A horizontal version may be possible, depending on the amount of text appearing in the module.

What is the difference between the Mark information and the ancillary information?

The Mark information describes the various attributes of a product that UL Solutions has certified. The ancillary information provides additional details describing conditions of use, ratings of a product or information necessary for regulatory acceptance of a product.

What do the country codes represent? How are they determined?

They represent the country requirements used to certify a product and are based on ISO 3166-1:2013.

If a product is certified only according to U.S. requirements, is a country code required?

It depends on the requirements of a specific product category. When required, the country code "US" is used.

Where does Classification information appear in the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark design?

Classification information appears adjacent to the Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark as additional certification markings.

Why was the decision made to use file numbers as unique identifiers in the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark?

Using a file number as a unique identifier enables anyone in the marketplace to retrieve and validate information about a product's certification from Product iQ (https://productiq.ulprospector.com/en).

Why change the text used in the Mark to "Certified"?

The terms "Listed" and "Classified" are very much associated with certification for the United States. "Certified" is a term better understood globally and makes the Mark much better suited for use in global markets.

Does using "Certified" make Listed and Classified appear to be equal services?

When a product carries the UL Mark, it means UL Solutions determined representative product samples met the applicable requirements. In the Classification service, UL Solutions determines that a manufacturer has demonstrated the ability to produce a product complying with UL's requirements with respect to one or more of the following:

• Specific risk (casualty, fire)

• Performance under specific conditions

• Compliance with regulatory codes

• Compliance with specific standards such as international standards

• Other conditions as determined by UL Solutions

UL certification means a product meets the requirements stated in the guide information. For products that are Classified, the specifics of the certification are shown as additional certification markings like the Classification marking.

Why is UL Solutions no longer requiring product names on some products?

We eliminated product names on some products because their use and product type are clear without requiring additional information. In some cases, product names are still required when a product name is used as acceptance criteria for products.

Are UL Solutions control numbers still required?

When the Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark is used, the control number will be required only for private-label (Multiple Listed) products. Existing customers with currently assigned control numbers have the option to continue to use a control number as ancillary information in conjunction with the enhanced or smart Mark.

Some products don't carry a full four-element Mark today. What should be used on those products?

Products that don't carry a full four-element Mark today will continue to use their "shorthand" or abbreviated Marks stamped, cast or molded into a product, and will include the full UL Certification Mark on the smallest unit package.

What is the definition of the incomplete UL Mark for the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark?

The basic certified Mark is the portion of the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark containing the word CERTIFIED. A complete enhanced certification Mark is composed of the basic certified Mark and descriptive attribute information, country code (if required) and unique identifier.

Will any Mark information be translated into languages other than English?

If the certification scheme or regulatory requirements dictate, the Mark information can be translated into languages other than English. The word CERTIFIED in the Basic Certified Mark is part of the registered trademark and is not translated.

If needed, where does standards information go in conjunction with the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark?

Standards information appears adjacent to the Mark as ancillary information but not as part of the Mark.

Why are some programs certifying characteristics other than safety using the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark?

In making the transition to the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark, UL Solutions determined that any program using UL Solutions in a circle as a certification Mark will be able to use the enhanced and smart Mark.

If a product name is required, how will it appear with an Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark?

Those products requiring a product name will continue to use the same product name, serial number or issue number and, where applicable, the denomination or additional product descriptors in use today.

What is happening to existing Marks referring to specific product types or certifications such as the Gas-Fired and Plumbing Marks?

Our plan is to eventually retire these existing Marks. When needed, attribute descriptions have been created to replace these separate types of certification Marks.

Doesn't the National Electrical Code ^® (NEC) require use of the word "Listed" on the UL certification Mark?

The term "Certified" satisfies the definitions of Listed and Labeled in the NEC. Article 100 of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2017 edition, states:

• Listed — Equipment, materials or services included in a list published by an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation of products or services, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic evaluation of services, and whose listing states that either the equipment, material or service meets appropriate designated standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose. An informational note further states that the means for identifying Listed equipment may vary for each organization.

• Labeled — Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol or other identifying Mark of an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of labeled equipment or materials, and by whose labeling the manufacturer indicates compliance with appropriate standards or performance in a specified manner.

What are the minimum size, color requirements, proper proportions and specific font for the lettering for the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark?

The requirements for the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark include:

• In most cases, 5mm is the minimum size of the enhanced Mark, provided that the enhanced Mark text is legible; the minimum allowable size for the smart Mark is 13mm. For some holographic labels and some very small products, the Mark will be smaller.

• Acceptable colors for printed Marks are black and white.

• The enhanced Mark may be embossed directly on the product or a label. The smart Mark may not be embossed, stamped or cast as the contrast in the QR code dot pattern is required for accurate scanning.

• Proper proportions and font are defined for the enhanced and smart Mark. Marks created in the Marks Hub automatically utilize these proportions and font.

• As has always been the case with UL Marks, customers are not permitted to create their own versions of our enhanced and smart Marks.

What happens when the entire Mark won't fit on a product?

Generally, if the entire Mark and modules won't fit on a product, the UL symbol (abbreviated UL Mark consisting of the UL in a circle or the Basic Certified Mark consisting of the portion of the Enhanced Mark containing the word CERTIFIED) can be used on a product if it fits and the complete Mark information is displayed on the smallest unit packaging. The use of only the UL symbol on the product and the complete Mark information on the smallest unit packaging is authorized on a category-by-category basis.

Will UL Solutions offer standard labels featuring the Enhanced UL Certification Mark?

Yes. Standard labels using the Enhanced UL Certification Mark were introduced in September 2013. The standard label transition from the existing Listed and Classified marks to the enhanced Mark is being completed in phases.

Will UL offer standard labels featuring the Smart UL Certification Mark?

Not at this time.

Can custom labels still be ordered with the existing Listed or Classified Mark after the introduction of the Enhanced UL Certification Mark?

Yes. Because they're designed to be flexible, custom labels can be ordered with the existing UL Listed or Classified Mark, or with the Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark.

How can custom labels be sourced? What printers can be used? Can they be created internally?

Customers can continue to have their custom labels sourced and printed just as they do today.

Will UL Solutions still utilize holographic labels for specific products? Will the Enhanced UL Certification Mark appear on them?

Yes. The same products required to use holographic labels will continue to use them in the future. When appropriate, holographic labels will feature the Enhanced UL Certification Mark.

What are the materials requirements for labels?

The same materials requirements that are in place today for labels will be used for labels featuring the Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Mark.

What information is required on a label?

In general, standard labels purchased from UL Solutions will continue to have issue or serial numbers adjacent to the Mark on the label. Because standard labels do not include a unique identifier, the unique identifier (the file number, in many cases) will be required on the product adjacent to the Enhanced and Smart Certification Mark as ancillary information.

In general, for customer-printed labels and molded/stamped Marks, the unique identifier will be required. The control number, when required in the case of private-label (Multiple Listed) products, will be placed adjacent to the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark. The required ancillary information may include the product name (required on a category-by-category basis), control number (for private-labeled products) and other defining elements required by the category. This information will be required to appear adjacent to the enhanced or smart Mark.

Only one file number can be used as the unique identifier for the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark. If there is a desire to include additional unique identifiers, they can and should be included as ancillary information (the file number in parentheses after the associated product name).

Can the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark appear inside the unit?

The requirements for appearance of the enhanced and smart Marks on a product, whether inside or outside, have not changed. Those are defined by each product category.

How can different Mark application methods transition to the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Marks?

Note: All special application options remain in place, e.g., for wire and cable, etc. Full Enhanced or Smart UL Certification Marks will appear on smallest unit packaging, reel or container.

The complete UL Listed Mark is currently molded or stamped on the product and the mold or die is not scheduled for replacement or retooling. Can the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark also appear on the packaging?

Yes, since molds and stamps may take a long time to update, the packaging may bear the enhanced or smart Mark, and a promotional badge before a product bears the Mark. Please note that the smart Mark cannot be molded or stamped on a product.

What services are using the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Marks?

The Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Marks will be used for UL Listings, Classifications and Performance Verifications for the European Union, Japan, China, United Kingdom, Australia, Colombia, Canada and the United States.

Has UL Solutions eliminated the Listing and Classification services?

No. The services remain unchanged and in place. Only the Mark indicating certification has changed.

Are the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Marks replacing the Registered Firm Mark?

No. The Registered Firm Mark is out of scope and is not affected.

Will the UL Recognized Component Mark also be changing in the future?

No. The Recognized Component Mark is out of scope and is not affected.

Is the field evaluation label changing?

No. The field evaluation label is out of scope and is not affected.

What unique identifier will be used for products under the multiple listing program (private labeling)?

In the case of private-label (Multiple Listed) certifications, the file number assigned to the multiple listee must appear as the unique identifier in the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark. In addition, the control number assigned to the source manufacturer (basic listee) will be required as ancillary information on the same label, adjacent to the Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark.