Underwriters Laboratories Inc (UL) is launching new "fast-track" programs designed to give manufacturers UL certification for both the United States and Canada -- at half the usual price and in half the usual turnaround time for most items.

Since Nov. 1, 2002, customers who submit end products in any of three key industry segments to UL for new-product evaluations for the United States also receive the C-UL Mark for Canada at no extra cost.

What's more, for customers submitting products in any of the three segments that have already received CSA certification, UL will provide both the UL and C-UL marks at half the cost -- and in half the time -- of obtaining the UL Mark alone.

"If UL fails to meet the mutually agreed upon promise date, which for most items will be 50% of UL's standard turnaround time, customers will receive their U.S. and Canadian certifications absolutely free," says Loring W. Knoblauch, UL's president and CEO.

The three industry segments include:

• Industrial control equipment, including motor controllers, auxiliary devices, high voltage accessories, power conversion equipment, programmable controllers, protective relays, switches and terminal blocks;


• Industrial control panels; and


• Laboratory, test and measurement equipment.

All Components Included

The fast-track program also extends to components in any end product that has already received CSA certification for the United States and Canada.

"When a manufacturer submits a product that contains CSA-certified components to UL for certification in the United States or Canada," Knoblauch says, "we will offer the component supplier the option of having UL certify the component under the half-price fast-track offer."

If the supplier agrees, UL will immediately accept the CSA-certified component on a conditional basis, then test it in parallel with the end product.

If the component is successfully certified within 120 days, the component receives UL certification. If UL is unable to satisfactorily certify the component, UL will offer the customer 90 days to source another, already UL-certified component. If a suitable alternative UL-certified component cannot be found, UL will withdraw its acceptance of both the CSA-certified component and the end product.

"These special offers give our customers what they've been asking for -- faster, more efficient and higher-value product certifications," says Knoblauch. "At the same time, UL cares deeply about the safety of products and components we certify. We will ensure that in each of these special programs, a full, complete and accurate set of tests has been run."

The offers expire Dec. 31, 2003.