Why Are UL and ETL Approvals Important?

In the retail environment, customer and employee safety is a top priority. Safety concerns apply to everything from flooring to display cases and of course signage. Signage has become more sophisticated over the years, incorporating LED lighting and digital tablets. Lightboxes and digital display solutions add another layer of complexity when it comes to ensuring store safety. Installing products that are UL or ETL approved ensure that signage conforms to widely accepted product safety standards.

Here is short primer on UL and ETL approvals:

• UL approval. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a certification agency. UL focuses primarily on equipment safety standards. UL engineers conduct testing to ensure that standards are met related to design, electrical safety, and structural integrity. Manufacturers submit their products voluntarily to UL for testing and safety certification.

• ETL approval. The ETL (Electrical Testing Labs) Listed Mark indicates that a product has met the minimum requirements of prescribed product safety standards. It also is a sign that the product has been tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and meets the minimum requirements necessary for sale or distribution. NRTLs are recognized by OSHA to test products relative to applicable product safety standards.

Using signage with these approvals is important for three reasons:

1. Many municipalities in the United States require products be tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory before it is sold in their area. Rather than risking local non-acceptance, it’s easier to install store signage which has already been approved by UL or ETL.

2. UL and ETL approvals minimize the likelihood that safety problems will arise from store signage. Investing in signage with UL or ETL approval is inexpensive insurance that safety problems won’t arise. This can prevent negative publicity and reputation damage that can occur if a customer or employee is injured in the store by faulty signage.

3. ETL or UL approvals are a sign of product quality. UL and ETL approvals are entirely voluntary. Signage manufacturers that take the time to obtain these approvals care about the quality and safety of their products. This is important for retailers who also care about the quality of their service and safety of employees and customers.

As the signware specialists, Rose Displays only sells products that meet safety standards. You can trust that our LED frames and other signage conforms to UL or ETL approvals and will deliver safety, as well as your marketing messages. Contact us for additional information about signage solutions that will meet your unique ideas, resources, and constraints.