UL Listed products have met a range of safety, environmental, electrical, and other requirements to earn their UL approval. But if a piece of equipment was UL Listed and is no longer, a field evaluation can be used to demonstrate product quality and performance without repeating the entire UL Listing process.
A field evaluation body (FEB) will inspect the
equipment in its real-world location and application, running a series of tests
to ensure the equipment operates according to all relevant standards. A
qualified FEB—ideally an accredited one—will identify the standards that apply
to that type of equipment and its current usage, then execute the applicable
tests. The FEB will compile a report and deliver the results to the Authority
Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
A field evaluation helps improve equipment
quality and performance in several important ways:
●
Ensure safety of equipment that previously failed inspection - If the equipment fails an inspection by a local electrical inspector,
government official, or another Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), it’s
extremely important to ensure and demonstrate the safety of the equipment
before it is used again. A field evaluation is often the best way to
demonstrate the improved performance and consistency of the equipment according
to relevant UL requirements—without undergoing the entire certification process
all over again, which can be lengthy and costly.
●
Avoids issues after moving equipment from one location to another - When large equipment or systems are moved from one location to another,
it may invalidate the original UL Listing. This presents a major challenge for
a company that wants to move to a new manufacturing facility or reallocate
resources among company sites. A field evaluation can help demonstrate that the
equipment will be used in a safe and compliant way in its new location, as it
was in its previous location.
●
Ensures consistent evaluation criteria for imported or secondhand
equipment - If the equipment is manufactured according
to one set of standards, and then exported to be used in a region governed by a
different set of standards, a field evaluation is a helpful way to reconcile
the two systems. There are often commonalities among certification schemes, and
a compliance expert can help you determine which electrical, safety,
environmental, and risk-based standards apply from each system and what tests
the equipment will need to pass during field evaluation.
● Evaluating highly specialized equipment with a unique application - In some rare cases, a piece of equipment or a system may be so unique and specialized that there is not a ready-made set of standards that fully apply to it. In this case, the equipment needs to be evaluated in the field according to its real-world usage, and a field evaluation is a good fit. In this case, the manufacturer of the equipment can create the best possible design, while regulatory authorities (and anyone interacting with the equipment) can rest assured that it meets all relevant safety and performance requirements.
G&M Compliance Field Evaluations
A UL field evaluation shows that equipment meets the UL standards for product safety and performance, a designation that many U.S. organizations—like the National Fire Protection Association—consider the highest standard for product quality and performance.
G&M Compliance is an accredited field evaluation service that can
handle your equipment evaluation needs. Contact
G&M Compliance to learn more about the field evaluation process
and whether it is right for your situation.