UL Labels

A Guide to UL Labels

 
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Many electronics and automotive products need to be permanently marked with specific safety-related information such as hazards, warnings and instructions. UL Solutions Labels are used to display this information on UL Certified products.

CCL Design is a division of CCL Industries, the largest label company in the world and a UL Authorized Label Supplier. At CCL Design we manufacture high-performance labels for the electronics, industrial and automotive sectors working across UL and cUL constructions.

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Certification Authority

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UL Solutions is a third-party certification organisation that has been evaluating and certifying products for over a century. The UL mark is recognised globally as a symbol of product safety and reliability.

For manufacturers worldwide, UL labels are a mark of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. UL labels serve as tangible evidence of a product's compliance with stringent safety standards, signifying that the product has undergone detailed testing and meets the exacting criteria set by UL Solutions.

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Rigorous Testing, Traceability and Accountability

UL labels are a cornerstone of product safety and compliance, but what truly sets them apart from standard labels is the extensive testing they undergo. Unlike regular labels, which may deteriorate or lose their adhesion over time, UL labels are designed to endure for the entire lifespan of the product they are affixed to. This ensures that essential information—such as safety warnings, compliance marks, and usage instructions—remains visible and intact.

To achieve this level of reliability, UL labels are subjected to a series of rigorous tests that evaluate their durability and adhesion. These tests include:

Abrasion Resistance

This test simulates the wear and tear a label might experience during its lifetime. The label is subjected to repeated rubbing or scuffing to ensure that the printed information remains legible and the label itself remains intact.

Chemical Resistance

Labels often come into contact with various chemicals, such as cleaning agents, oils, or solvents. UL tests the label's ability to resist these substances without deteriorating, smudging, or peeling.

Temperature Extremes

Products may be exposed to high or low temperatures during use, storage, or transportation. UL labels are tested for their ability to withstand both extreme heat and cold without losing adhesion or legibility.

UV Light Exposure

Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause labels to fade or degrade. UL's testing ensures that labels can resist UV light without significant deterioration, ensuring that vital information remains readable.

Moisture and Humidity Resistance

Labels must often endure humid or wet conditions. This test evaluates the label’s ability to remain adhered to the product and retain its legibility in such environments.

Adhesion Testing

This critical test ensures that the label will stay securely affixed to the product surface under various conditions, including exposure to moisture, chemicals, and physical abrasion.

By passing these rigorous tests, UL labels prove their ability to meet the highest standards of durability and adhesion. This testing process is what differentiates UL labels from standard alternatives and ensures that they can reliably convey critical information throughout the entire lifespan of the product, no matter the conditions it faces.

Types of UL Labels

UL Enhanced and Smart Marks

The Enhanced and Smart UL Certification Mark and badge System bundles multiple UL certifications and geographies into a single mark to provide enhanced transparency, making better use of space. Customers using any variation of the UL Listed and UL Classified Marks can switch at no cost to the Enhanced and Smart UL Mark. More information is available at UL Solutions.

UL Listed label

For complete products ready for consumer use, confirming all applicable safety standards are met. Examples include household appliances, electrical equipment, and consumer electronics.

UL Recognised label

Applied to components within products, ensuring that each part complies with safety standards when used in a final product. Commonly seen on switches, circuit boards, and other internal components.

Benefits of Incorporating UL Labels

The advantages of integrating UL labels into your products extend far beyond regulatory compliance and include:

Enhanced brand reputation

Risk mitigation

Consumer confidence

Market access

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CCL Design’s Labels & Graphic Overlays

CCL Design is a leading manufacturer of high-performance labels, supported by the in-house materials and coatings solutions