UL/CSA Glossary of Terms

UL and CSA
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) are independent, not-for-profit safety testing and certification organizations. While UL primarily certifies the safety of products sold in the U.S. and CSA certifies primarily in Canada, both have the capacity to meet standards in both countries, Mexico and Europe.
UL has three basic categories for labeling: “Classification Mark”, “Listing Mark”’ and “Component Marking System”.

Certification Mark
A generic term intended to include the Listed Mark, Classification Mark, Recognized Component Mark and Recognized Markings of UL. Authorized use of the UL certification mark by a manufacturer is the manufacturer’s declaration that the product was produced according to the requirements in effect at the time of manufacture and subject to the applicable Follow-Up Service.

Classification Mark
The Mark consists of four elements, a registered Mark of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. , the product name, e.g. “fire door,” a control number, and the word “CLASSIFIED” together with a statement on or in connection with the product delineating the nature and extent (limitations) of UL’s coverage.

Listing Mark
The mark consists of four elements, a registered Mark of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., the product name, e.g. “portable lamp,” a control number, and the word “LISTED.” The manufacturer, by the terms of the Follow-Up Service Agreement, is authorized to apply it to products as the manufacturer’s declaration that the products have been produced under UL’s Follow-UP Service and conform to UL’s requirements.

“Component Marking System” Standard UL 969
This is a label that is an integral part of the primary product. The label may specify, warning or safety information, rating information, or instructional information. This label must meet the requirements of UL 969.

UL Standards
Many products involved in safety issues with the public, have specific labeling standards. Some of these products include fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, and ladders.

PGDQ2
This is a category for marking and labeling systems that require no additional printing by the primary product manufactuer.

PGJI2
This is a category for marking and labeling systems that are acceptable for additional printing by the primary product manufactuer. This may include dot matrix, thermal transfer, or laser printing.

Issue Numbers
Issue numbers are given to manufacturers to have printed on their labels when payment for UL services is billed by the amount of the product sold. This is primarily used on building products such as shingles and wiring.

CSA Substrate Groupings
Group
Aluminum
Bare, plated or enamelled steel, anodized or enamelled aluminum, stainless steel
Group I
Phenolic
Phenolic, melamines, urea formaldehyde
Group II
Polyphenylene oxide
Polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide
Group III
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate, acetates, acrylics
Group IV
Polypropylene
Polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene
Group V
Nylon
Polyamide, polyimide
Group VI
Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
Styrene, styrene acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
Group VII
Polyvinyl chloride (rigid)
Polyvinyl chloride (rigid), plasticized polyvinyl chloride
Group VIII
Glass-filled polyester
Glass-filled polyester, glass-filled epoxy, polyethylene terephthalate
polybutylene terephthalate