FLEXcon Assists Converters With UL’s Pre-Certification Program

SPENCER, Mass.—Easy access to engineers at Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and a streamlined method of obtaining UL listings are just some of the changes the independent product safety certification organization has recently announced.

FLEXcon has long valued Underwriters Laboratories as a resource to ensure its pressure-sensitive films and adhesives are compliant with industry and consumer-safety standards. As the only UL self-certifying DAP lab in the PSA industry, FLEXcon continues investing in capital equipment and resources to maintain UL approval of its products and to better serve customers. Officials at FLEXcon say they will continue to reinforce the importance of UL recognition and not only encourage, but also assist converters and OEMs in working with UL to achieve label compliance.

By the same token, UL wants converters and OEMs to better understand the importance of warning and instructional labeling; minimize the infiltration of counterfeit, non-UL recognized labels in UL-required applications; and build a rapport with converters, OEMs and vertical markets.

“The new UL business model creates a paradigm shift for converters, OEMs, suppliers, and UL that will essentially reorganize testing procedures and streamline the process for acquiring UL listings ,” says Keith Gilbert, a UL Business Development Manager. “It creates a rapport-building environment, makes for less complicated submissions, and heralds the benefits of industry and consumer-safety compliance.”

John Bennett, Vice President of FLEXcon’s Product Identification Business Team, agrees, saying, “a customer-centric approach supports and facilitates the collaboration in the industry.

“There is an increased desire among print service providers and OEMs for UL recognition,” Bennett says. “Together we can help increase UL knowledge throughout many industries, encourage UL participation, understand the importance of warning and instructional labeling, minimize sales of counterfeit, non-UL recognized labels, and help OEMs not only improve product quality, but also gain the international compliance and recognition they also desire.”

The change at UL in conjunction with FLEXcon’s UL expertise creates benefits for FLEXcon customers that include:
• Rapport-building among UL, print service provider and material supplier makes for less complicated submissions;
• Paperwork transfer adoption will be rationalized at a lower cost;
• Simpler quoting, pricing, and implementation;
• Better access to UL engineers and the entire quote process for collaborative participants;
• Fewer sales of counterfeit, non-compliant labels; cost of compliance will be less than the cost and risks associated with a counterfeit or non-compliant label;
• Reduction in ROI duration; expected to permit budget planning which will apportion fixed costs for the year.

For more information on how FLEXcon can help converters with UL needs, contact Jim Potter, Technical Service Representative for FLEXcon’s Product Identification Business Team, at (508) 885-8215 or jpotter@flexcon.com.