What is Underwriters Laboratories?

Answer 1

Underwriters Laboratories (Inc.) is a well-known testing laboratory that develops standards and test procedures for materials, components, assemblies, tools, equipment and procedures, chiefly dealing with product safety and utility.

They test product samples and permit acceptable products to carry the UL certification mark, as long as they remain in conformity with the standards and with the samples tested to those standards.

Basically, UL Laboratories makes sure that products manufactured to certain standards are indeed made that way and not in a cheap or unsafe fashion so that when you purchase the product you are getting what the manufacturer advertises and in turn you get what you pay for.

Look at the back of your computer monitor, the bottom of your table lamp, or the label on your hair dryer. Chances are you will see the symbol "UL" with a circle around it. It stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a firm headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., and an unsung hero of the market economy.

Answer 2

Underwriters Laboratories - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Underwriters Laboratories (Inc.) is a well-known testing laboratory located in Northbrook, Illinois that develops standards and test procedures for materials, components, assemblies, tools, equipment and procedures, chiefly dealing with product ...
Quick Links: See also - External link
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwriters_Laboratories

Answer 3

They are a company who tests products for primarily safety purposes such as electrical and mechanical.

While they do not approve any item, if the item provided for testing does meet their standards, the submitting company may affix the UL logo on it.

For the consumer its seen more as an insurance policy that proves the item has been tested by a third party and is deemed safe. This versus just relying on the manufacturer's word.

I hope that helps.