How to Get UL Certification for Your Product Step by Step Guide

Why UL Certification Matters

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification is a widely recognized safety standard that assures consumers, inspectors, and insurers that a product meets rigorous safety and performance standards. For manufacturers producing kitchen equipment or commercial appliances like refrigerators, earning UL certification not only builds trust but also expands market access, especially in the United States and Canada.

This guide will walk you through how to get UL certified, explaining every step from initial application to final approval, with a focus on appliances such as the commercial refrigerator.

Step 1: Understand UL Certification Requirements

Before starting the certification process, you must clearly understand the UL certification requirements. UL has specific testing criteria based on product category. For refrigerators, this includes:

• Electrical safety (wiring, insulation, grounding)
• Fire resistance
• Mechanical durability
• Temperature regulation
• Leakage current limits

For example, a UL listed fridge must demonstrate consistent thermal performance and low risk of electrical shock over prolonged operation. These UL requirements are regularly updated, so it’s essential to work with a UL project engineer or check the latest UL standards on their website.

UL also evaluates the materials used, ensuring flame retardant components are present where needed. For refrigeration units, insulation quality and compressor protection mechanisms are critical to meet the standard.

Step 2: Identify the Relevant UL Standard for Your Product

UL publishes standards for different product categories. For refrigerators and commercial cooling units, relevant standards include:

• UL 471: Standard for Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers
• UL 60335-2-24: For household and similar electrical appliances (e.g., residential fridges)

If you’re producing a commercial refrigerator, you will likely need to meet UL 471. Understanding the exact standard helps you design your product accordingly.

In addition to UL standards, you may also need to align your designs with regional or application-specific guidelines, especially if your fridge will be used in hospitals, schools, or foodservice environments.

Step 3: Choose a Certification Body (Typically UL or ETL)

While UL conducts most UL certifications, other Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs), such as Intertek (ETL), may also test products to UL standards. That said, applying directly to UL ensures the product can legally carry the UL mark.

For appliances that are marketed as UL certified refrigerators, choosing UL itself adds more credibility among North American buyers. This can lead to faster procurement in government and institutional contracts.

Step 4: Submit an Application to UL

To initiate the process, manufacturers must:

• Create an account on the UL Product iQ portal
• Provide technical documentation, including:
  • Product design and drawings
  • Electrical schematics
  • Materials list (with flame ratings)
  • Safety features
  • Operational manuals (if applicable)

UL will assign a project handler to manage communication and logistics.

Manufacturers should prepare detailed bills of materials (BOM), supplier certifications, and documentation about any third-party components used in the system. Lack of clarity here can delay the entire process.

Step 5: Product Testing and Evaluation

UL testing typically occurs in one of their certified labs. The product is evaluated under real-world and extreme conditions. For a commercial refrigerator, the lab might test:

• Compressor cycling under load
• Short circuit scenarios
• Continuous operation under high ambient temperatures
• Fire containment from internal faults
• Power surge endurance

Tests are performed repeatedly and under different conditions to simulate long-term use. Temperature monitoring systems, insulation breakdown resistance, and enclosure protection (e.g., IP ratings) are also considered.

All test data is documented thoroughly. Products must pass all criteria to move forward. If any part fails, the manufacturer may need to revise the design and resubmit.

Step 6: Factory Inspection and Follow-up Services

Once the product passes testing, UL conducts an initial factory inspection. This ensures that manufacturing processes align with the design that was tested.

Inspectors will verify:

• Equipment calibration
• Staff training
• Quality control protocols
• Consistency across batch production

After certification, periodic unannounced inspections will occur to ensure continued compliance. If standards lapse, the UL mark may be revoked.

During these inspections, inspectors might request batch samples, examine traceability of components, or evaluate your corrective action logs. This ongoing oversight is a key part of maintaining certification status.

Step 7: Certification and Use of the UL Mark

After all evaluations are passed, UL issues a certification notice and grants permission to apply the UL mark to the product. For a UL certified refrigerator, this label must be:

• Durable and legible
• Placed in a visible area (e.g., compressor housing or inner cabinet)
• Accompanied by the model number and serial number

It’s now legal to promote your product as UL listed or UL certified, increasing credibility and market acceptance.

Some manufacturers also display the UL certification on product packaging and marketing materials. Be sure to follow UL branding guidelines to avoid misuse.

Step 8: Ongoing Compliance and Recertification

UL certification isn’t a one-time event. Ongoing compliance involves:

• Annual or biannual re-testing (if standards change)
• Factory audits
• Updating UL if product design changes

Especially for rapidly evolving sectors like foodservice, keeping your refrigerator safety certification valid is crucial for liability protection and inspection clearance.

If you introduce changes to compressors, control boards, refrigerants, or any safety-relevant component, you must inform UL and request a variation review.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete documentation
• Failing to understand the correct UL standard
• Making undocumented changes to production after certification
• Mislabeling the product with unverified UL marks

Always communicate design or supplier changes to UL to avoid losing certification.

Avoid using vague terms like “UL compliant” unless the product has been fully tested. Any misuse of marks can lead to legal issues, market bans, or product recalls.

Benefits of UL Approval for Appliances

For manufacturers of kitchen equipment, the benefits of achieving UL approval for appliances include:

• Access to regulated markets (U.S., Canada)
• Higher buyer trust
• Competitive differentiation in a crowded appliance market
• Faster acceptance in commercial contracts or foodservice franchises
• Insurance eligibility

In fact, many vendors in the commercial kitchen appliance space won’t consider a product unless it has the UL listed or ETL certified to UL standards designation.

UL certification can also lead to better pricing on business insurance, reduced liability risks, and easier access to large buyers in hospitality, healthcare, and government sectors.

Final Thoughts: UL Certification Builds Brand Credibility

Understanding how to get UL certified is essential for appliance manufacturers who want to compete on safety, quality, and regulatory readiness. The UL certification requirements might seem demanding, but they ensure that products are designed with end-user safety in mind.

From UL certified refrigerators to industrial-grade freezers, gaining UL approval can make the difference between market rejection and commercial success.

For foodservice and appliance brands looking to scale in North America, this certification is a crucial step toward lasting consumer trust.

As a final tip, begin your UL preparation during the early design phase. Collaborate with certification consultants, use pre-approved components, and document every decision—you’ll save time, money, and get to market faster.