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Is agency approval requred for all equipt

Just wondering as I have seen/owned many items which are not stamped w/ agency approvals (UL / CE etc.). This includes electronics (amps / preamps / digital) and cables (power in particular). Seems like some of the "boutique" companies do not always have agency markings. And if the equipment is not agency reveiwed / approved, is this risky for the consumer. I also wonder what liability (if any) the manufacturer holds if a fire or problem would occur. Just wondering...
jeffga
6550c
393 posts
 
Great question. I have also noticed some Chinese products don't have waht you mention or a serial number.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
The UL listing is not a requirement. Underwriters Lab is a private company, the equivalent of the "redbook seal of approval", or "Consumer Digest pick". It is one of the oldest private nonprofit testing tools around. (established in 1894)

No basis in law. They seem to have cornered the market, and consumers think it is a government agency. Nope, just really good advertising over many years has made them SEEM to be a law.
So the "UL" mark means they tested the product. NOT having it means they did not test it. And nothing more. (I am certain they charge the manufacturer a fee for having the UL seal on the product or box.)
So if you would be willing to buy a product not tested by Consumer reports... you can buy a product without the UL seal or mark.
IF you are very concerned about safety, then buy only products with the mark.
PS: a product may have a power cord with the mark, that can mean ONLY the cord was tested... or the whole product. a slippery slope IMO.
zmanastronomy's avatar
zmanastronomy
738 posts
 
Most power cables by many high end audio manufacturers are not ul listed. If you had a fire in your home and the insurance inspector found that to be the problem, that does give them a loop hole in there right to pay the claim.
Most are simple in design and are very safe, but it is a consideration when buying a power cable.
hifihvn
943 posts
 
Anything that is remote, the receiver for the remote is always running. For me this stuff must be UL listed. My audio gear is never left on, so I don't worry to much about that stuff. A power amp, tube or solid state can get fairly hot. Vintage gear can be a risk, since the insulation is brittle, or old technology, and risky due to age. The CE marking means nothing for safety according to UL. Some companies try to pass that off as a safety test. Some US companies also. Play it safe and buy UL tested, or unplug it when not using.CE/UL link.[http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/perspectives/regulator/electrical/additionalresources/cemarkings/]
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