UL certification, UL approved, UL listed, what do these terms mean? Are they all interchangeable? What rules and regulations do warehouse managers need to know about OSHA standards for UL compliance? The equipment experts at Papé Material Handling have you covered with all the information you need to keep your fleet compliant.
What is UL Certification & Why Does It Matter?
UL stands for Underwriter Laboratories. Underwriter Laboratories is a third-party certification company that tests and sets standards for product safety. OSHA requires that all new forklifts be independently tested for fire safety and have a label or mark indicating approval.
UL Terminolgy
UL has a few different official terms that indicate compliance in different scenarios and there are unofficial terms used throughout the industry as well.
UL Listed
UL Listed is the certification designated to end products that have successfully passed testing.
UL Recognized
UL Recognized is a certification term used for parts or components that have been approved to be used in a UL Listed end product.
UL Registered
UL Registered indicates that the product or part has either of the above designations.
UL Approved
UL approved is not an official term used by Underwriter Laboratories, but one that’s often used in the material handling and warehousing industry to mean that the product is UL Listed.
What Voids a UL Listing?
As with any safety certification, modifications to the equipment can void the the UL Listed designation. It’s important to get written approval from the manufacturer if you plan to make any changes that would alter the capacity or potential safety of a forklift.
All new and used equipment sold at Papé Material Handling is UL Certified and you’ll find the UL Listed mark on the data plate of every forklift model. To learn more about keeping your fleet compliant read more on our blog or contact your nearest Papé Material Handling location to speak with our product support team.