Does Amazon require UL certification?

UL certification is familiar yet unfamiliar to many. When exporting to the United States, many people have heard of UL certification. However, because UL certification is not mandatory in the United States and does not affect customs clearance, many sellers may not delve into it deeply. In fact, products entering the US without UL certification are difficult to sell in the US market.

In 2019, Amazon's US site underwent a "bloody" delisting of LED tube bulbs, carbon monoxide alarms, plug-in lighting fixtures, car chargers, batteries, chargers, USB data cables, juicers, and blenders because related sellers could not provide safety certifications (UL certification) within the specified time frame. LED tube bulbs require UL1993, carbon monoxide alarms UL2034, plug-in lighting fixtures UL1786, car chargers UL2089; chargers require UL60950-1 certification; mobile phone batteries need ul2054/ul1642 certification, USB data cables need UL9990 certification, and kitchen electric products like juicers need UL982 certification. Although Amazon has always had certification requirements for electronic products, such a tough approach still caught many sellers off guard.

So, many US Amazon sellers may wonder whether they need to obtain UL certification or submit a UL standard report to Amazon.

In fact, both options are viable. Certification from UL or a UL standard report from a third-party organization can both get products listed on Amazon. Some may ask, if both options work, why incur the high cost of UL certification? It's quite simple: UL certification carries more authority and universality, applicable not only to the Amazon platform but also to a wider range of uses. Amazon accepts UL standard reports because the testing standards and requirements are consistent, serving the purpose of safety control, albeit with some limitations in terms of acceptance and recognition by all customer groups.

This represents two approaches:

- Conduct UL standard testing and obtain a UL report for Amazon use (costs $1300 per item, items from the same series can be applied together, with a 7-day turnaround time, expedited service available, contact JJRLAB for details).

- Obtain UL certification to give the product international recognition and authority (costs evaluated by UL, typically around $10,000, with a processing time of 4-9 months, generally not expedited).

What's the reason behind Amazon's emphasis on whether such products have obtained safety certifications (UL certification)?

Because non-compliant electrical products can easily cause fires, endangering lives and property, similar incidents have occurred before! And UL standards represent safety testing standards in the Americas! Amazon, out of safety concerns, strengthens its control over electric electronic products, resulting in many products being delisted! It's understandable! So what exactly is UL certification?

What is UL certification?

UL stands for Underwriter Laboratories Inc., an abbreviation for the English insurer's test site. UL Safety Testing Laboratory is a reputable and large private organization engaged in safety testing and assessment worldwide. It is an independent, non-profit professional institution conducting tests for public safety. UL certification is non-mandatory in the United States and mainly involves testing and certification of product safety performance to ensure that the market receives goods with a certain safety level. The UL mark has become one of the world's renowned safety certification marks.

What are the product categories covered by UL certification?

01. Audiovisual equipment

02. Automobiles

03. Electronic components

04. Household appliances

05. Industrial control equipment

06. Information technology equipment

07. Lighting fixtures

08. Medical devices

09. Plastics

10. Information equipment

11. Wires and cables

How long is the factory inspection time and validity period of UL certification?

UL generally conducts four annual audits. If the product standards remain unchanged and continue to pass the annual audits, the certification remains valid. Product certification is no longer a new topic, and Amazon's scrutiny of electrical products is particularly stringent.

Sellers selling related products should beware of pitfalls. Listing products without certification not only affects the account but also poses safety risks that could lead to dangerous incidents. Sellers who have already sold such products should promptly submit UL reports or certifications to Amazon.