How Much Does UL Certification Cost?

Many people are interested in knowing how much UL certification costs. The cost of UL certification is not fixed and varies depending on the product, application scenario, number of items applied for, and other factors.

What is UL Certification?

UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Unlike FCC certification, UL certification focuses on safety. UL primarily engages in product safety certification and operational safety verification, aiming to provide the market with products that meet significant safety standards, thus ensuring personal health and property safety. In the United States, UL is a symbol of safety for consumers. UL is the most authoritative safety testing institution in the U.S. and one of the largest non-governmental safety testing and verification organizations in the world. For export clearance, a UL certificate is required. For Amazon reviews, a UL test report is sufficient.

UL certification in the United States is not mandatory.

Scope of UL Product Certification

UL certification covers electronic and electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical products.

Any electronic, electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical product with a UL mark indicates that the product has met the minimum requirements of widely recognized safety standards in the U.S. and Canada. This means the product has been tested and conforms to relevant safety standards and signifies that the manufacturing plant agrees to receive regular inspections to ensure product consistency, allowing it to be sold in both the U.S. and Canadian markets.

The cost of UL certification mainly comprises two parts:

1. Initial Testing Fees

Initial testing fees are charged according to standards, so different products have different fee standards. The specific cost is determined by the product category and the number of models and their differences. If the testing is successful, a corresponding test report will be issued. The cost of a UL test report is approximately $1,000. (The UL test report is issued based on the product passing tests according to relevant UL standards. It is low-cost, has a short cycle, does not require a factory audit, and must be issued by a laboratory accredited to ISO17025/ILAC ISO 17025 standards. The main purpose of the UL test report is for listing on Amazon.)

2. Maintenance Fees

UL certification requires four factory audits each year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), costing about $3,000. The minimum maintenance fee for records is $1,170, plus the cost of the UL mark, resulting in annual maintenance costs of around $20,000 to $30,000. However, these costs only apply if the initial tests are passed, which then incur ongoing maintenance costs.

UL Certification Process Duration

The duration of the UL certification review depends on the product type and the standards being reviewed. Generally, the UL certification review process is divided into three stages: preliminary evaluation, product testing, and review. The preliminary evaluation and product testing typically take about 2-3 weeks, while the review period may take longer depending on the product type and review standards.

UL Certification Validity Period

UL certification does not have an expiration date. UL uses a file number system to reflect the applicant company's status. As long as you conduct annual factory inspections and submit maintenance fees on time, UL certification remains valid. Generally, UL does not issue certificates but provides an Authorization Page. Usually, as long as no special disputes or breaches occur, the certification remains valid indefinitely.

Our UL Certification Service Scope

We are a professional third-party agency for UL certification of electronic components, authorized as a UL TPTDP witness testing laboratory. We provide UL certification services for the following standard products:

- Energy storage connectors, photovoltaic connectors, EV charging guns, electronic connectors, industrial connectors, waterproof connectors, heavy-duty connectors, terminal blocks, quick connectors, etc.: UL4128, UL6703, UL2251, UL1977, UL2238, UL1059, UL486, UL310

- Plugs and sockets: UL817, UL498, UL1316, UL60320

- Surge protectors (varistors, gas discharge tubes, avalanche diodes, lightning protection modules): UL1449

- PTC/NTC thermistors: UL1434

- Fuses: UL248

- Fuse holders: UL4248

- Safety capacitors: UL60384-14

- Electrical controllers (thermostats, motor protectors): UL60730

UI4200A 2023