Difference Between UL, CSA, and CE Certifications

UL Certification:

The UL certification stands for Underwriter Laboratories and only applies to the USA. While there are many variations under the UL mark, the two main ones are UL Listed and UL Recognised Component.

What is the difference between UL Listed and UL Recognized Component?

UL Listed means that UL has tested representative samples of a product and determined that the product meets specific requirements. If the product passes the test, the manufacturer is then allowed to stamp the product with an official UL Mark for quality assurance and marketing purposes. In some cases, UL Listed products may also be evaluated for compliance with additional requirements such as energy efficiency; safety; use in gas-fired equipment, plumbing, security, and signaling applications.

UL Recognized Component means that UL has evaluated only some components or materials used inside a complete product or system. Since UL Recognized only applies to the components, the letters “U-L” cannot be used when advertising the products. The appropriate symbol for promoting a UL Component Recognition is the UL Recognized Component Mark.

UL CERTIFIED MARK AND PROMOTIONAL BADGE FOR PRODUCTS

The UL Certified Mark for products is part of the enhanced Mark system. This system consists of the UL Certified Mark plus special promotional badge. The UL Certified Mark can be used for products certified under UL’s Listing and Classification services and for UL certifications for certain geographies. Any UL certified product currently carrying a UL Listed, Classified or Performance Verified Mark for the U.S. and Canada can switch over to the UL Certified Mark and promotional badge system. Also, products carrying the UL Mark for Japan (UL-JP Mark) and the European Union (UL-EU Mark) can also switch to the UL Certified Mark and promotional badge system.

Except in certain limited circumstances, promotional badges may not be used unless a product is also carrying a UL Certified Mark. UL also offers the UL Certified Mark and promotional badge with optional QR codes.

UL CLASSIFIED MARK (ALL VARIATIONS)

UL Classification typically means that UL has tested and evaluated samples of a product with respect to certain properties of the product. UL classifies products to:

It is important to use the UL Classified Mark accompanied by a statement indicating the specific scope of the Classification. For packaging, the appropriate variation of the UL Classified Mark may be used alone as long as the product bears the complete UL Classified Mark. Except in certain limited circumstances, products using any variation of the UL Classified Mark are ineligible to use a promotional badge.

UL PERFORMANCE VERIFIED MARK

UL performance Verification means that UL has tested and evaluated samples of a product, typically against a specific performance standard. UL performance Verifies products to:

• National or international industry performance standards
• Manufacturer’s proprietary (internal) standards
• UL requirements

It is important to use the UL performance Verified Mark only in conjunction with a statement indicating the specific scope of the UL performance Verification. Except in certain limited circumstances, products using the UL performance Verified Mark are ineligible to use a promotional badge.

CSA Certification:

CSA stands for the Canadian Standards Association, a Canadian group that offers certification labels for electrical products, mechanical products, or ‘at risk’ ones in general. The CSA certification marks are recognized and widely accepted around the world. The CSA logo, found on many products, indicates that the product, process, and service have been tested according to Canadian or U.S. standards. CSA marks can be found on a wide variety of North American products including electrical and electronic, gas-fired, and personal protective equipment among other products.

CE Certification:

The CE certification is a symbol that a manufacturer marks to a product so that it can be sold in Europe. The CE mark means that the manufacturer takes full responsibility for the compliance of a product with all applicable European health, safety, performance, and environmental requirements. The CE marks are very different from other certifications such as UL, or CSA in that these can be used once the governing organizations have tested and approved that the products meet the applicable standards. In the case of the CE mark, there is no governing organization that oversees if products meet the applicable European standards, therefore making the manufacturer fully responsible to comply with EU regulations. When you see the letters CE on products like electronics and other household appliances, boats, or toys, those products meet the standards to be sold in the European Union and a handful of other European countries that subscribe to the same standards. It represents the French phrase "Conformite Europeenne," which indicates conformity with European law.

About Sustema

Sustema is a leading manufacturer of control room consoles. With 25 years of experience in the industry manufacturing specialized solutions for IT-intensive environments, Sustema has acquired extensive knowledge in the different types of electric standards to certify the quality of our products and to ensure our clients comply with North-American standards. Contact us to talk with one of our representatives and advise you on the latest industry-standard for control room consoles.