The UK’s lighting industry trade body, the Lighting Industry Association (LIA), and the global safety science organisation UL have announced a new agreement aimed to establish a strong collaboration between the two organisations that will simplify the testing and certification services for UK lighting manufacturers wishing to achieve third party testing and approval.
The LIA operates an independent lighting test laboratory, accredited as both a Certification Body Test Laboratory (CBTL) and Notified Certification Body (NCB). It serves lighting manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, wholesalers, designers and the wider UK lighting market. Additionally, as a highly-respected trade association, the LIA offers its members advice and support with technical guidance and direction.
The cooperation between the British association and the North America-based safety science organisation will empower the LIA to test and certify lighting products for the North American market. This means that, in addition to the CBTL test reports, this agreement allows the LIA to issue UL certifications along with the ‘UL mark’.
The agreement will streamline the processes that UK lighting manufacturers currently have to navigate in order to test and certify their products for global markets. It offers manufacturers access to a complete services portfolio from a single reputable unique local supplier.
Speaking about the agreement, the global commercial leader for UL’s Lighting division, Roberto Inclinati, said, “The agreement with the LIA supports our effort to reinforce UL’s presence in the UK. It offers additional guidance to the UK lighting manufacturers and all those professionals who demand safe and good quality lighting products.
“UL believes that this new cooperation will enable UK manufacturers to reach their goals more quickly and easily, and enable them to stand out from the competition.”
Steve Davies, CEO of the LIA, added: “The strategic cooperation between the LIA and UL will reinforce the global recognition of the LIA – and what’s more, help its members to grow and achieve excellence in product design, specification and performance, protecting the interests of both the public and the manufacturers.”
The agreement is not limited to safety and performance testing, but also extends to Wellness services – provided by UL – and to the UL Verified Mark, which allows manufacturers to scientifically validate their marketing claims.
