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.
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.