UL International (UK) Ltd. appointed as notified body to the European PPE directive for personal flotation devices

Manufacturers who work with UL for UL and ULC Mark services and for their PPE testing and certification needs now gain the competitive advantage of utilizing UL for CE Marking services as well, said Chris Hasbrook, vice president and general manager, UL's Global Building Materials and Life Safety & Security Industries. UL is in the unique position of being able to offer this combined bundle of services, saving customers time and money while increasing their speed to market, while serving as a one-stop-shop for all their product compliance needs.

As a PPE Notified Body for PFDs, UL UK can test products to applicable European standards (ENs), utilizing UL's network of state-of-the-art test facilities, and issue a CE Certificate of conformity. The CE Certificate of conformity is mandatory for PFDs marketed in Europe to demonstrate compliance with relevant PPE requirements. In the US, PFDs worn on various watercrafts are required to conform with standards set by the U.S. Coast Guard. UL and the U.S. Coast Guard partner to provide a UL Listing and Coast Guard approval for life jackets, vests, seat cushions, deck suits and all other flotation devices. In Canada, PFDs require Transport Canada (TC) Approvals. UL provides a ULC listing to CAN/CGSB standards accepted for TC approvals for use in Canada.

UL has more than 40 years of experience testing and certifying PFDs and has conducted extensive research related to PFDs. The company's expert technical teams are knowledgeable in both UL and European Standards and operate facilities worldwide.