Canadian and U.S. Certification Services for UL Clients throughout the World

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is committed to helping its clients gain acceptance of their product intended for the Canadian marketplace. Through a choice of certification options, UL helps its clients receive safety certification in Canada. As the Canadian and other world markets change through cooperative agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the European Community initiative (EC92), UL will provide the certification services needed for its clients to receive product acceptance in those marketplaces.

Dual Safety Certification for the United States and Canada

Through the provisions of agreements between UL and Canada certification organizations, UL clients can receive UL and Canadian certifications with one submittal. These agreements provide for the reciprocal acceptance of test results and cover a wide range of products. In addition, UL is continuing its efforts to make it as easy as possible for UL and Canadian organizations to exchange and accept test data and reports.

A UL Mark for Canada

UL is the first safety certification organization in the United States to be granted Certification Organization (CO) and Testing Organization (TO) accreditations for Canada by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). UL's CO accreditation for Canada encompasses all of its facilities that handle both certification and testing, and all of its product categories and programs. By virtue of this accreditation, UL can evaluate products intended for the Canadian marketplace to Canadian National Standards and Codes, and authorize clients to label those products with the UL Mark for Canada. In addition, UL is actively working with local and provincial jurisdictional authorities to further ease the acceptance of UL's work in Canada.

UL-A Partner in the Canadian Safety System

Through its CO and To accreditations, cooperative agreements with Canadian certification organizations, standards harmonization efforts and other safety and certification activities, UL works cooperatively in the Canadian Safety System just as it does in the U.S. Safety System. These activities help keep UL's certification services for Canada current and compatible with the needs and requirements of that System.

John R. Woods has recently agreed to act as UL's Executive Liaison for Canadian Affairs. John Woods is the former Executive Director of the Standards Council of Canada. As Executive Liaison, Mr. Woods works with government officials, manufacturers and regulatory authorities in Canada on matters relating to product safety certification in Canada. He is an established member of the Canadian System, with close ties and more than ten years of experience in that System. Through its Canadian liaison and other sources, UL contributes to the Canadian System and provides certification services for products destined for Canada.

Standards Harmonization-One set of requirements for the United States and Canada

For several years, UL has been working toward the harmonization of U.S. and Canadian national Standards to make it easier for manufacturers to design products for both the U.S. and Canadian markets. Some UL Standards have already been fully harmonized and many, many more are underway. Harmonized standards will make it more convenient to quickly receive dual certification for the United States and Canada. As standards are harmonized, manufacturers can make one product that complies with the complete Canadian and U.S. safety requirements, and receive UL certification that is accepted in both countries.

Dual U.S./Canada Quality Registration to ISO 9000 Standards

Through UL's worldwide quality network, clients can receive dual or multiple registration by UL to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 Series Standards for quality system registration. Since 1990, the Quality Management Institute (QMI) of Canada (a division of the Canadian Standards Association) has been a part of the network. This means UL clients can receive co-registration by UL and QMI through one quality system assessment by UL. The UL network includes the leading quality assurance organizations in the world and assists manufacturers and others desiring quality system registrations worldwide.