Electrical Safety in the Furniture Industry FAQ

On May 24, UL hosted a webinar “Understanding Electrical Safety in the Furniture Industry” and afterward, we received some amazing questions. Our subject matter experts took the time to answer those questions, and we published them below.

Q: Which organization can confirm if a product under development requires certification?

A: UL has deep industry experience and would be able to help answer your certification requirement questions, simplify the regulatory process and support your efforts to reach market readiness.

Q: How is "resimercial" differentiated in the UL 962 Standard?

A: UL 962, the Standard for Household and Commercial Furnishings, identifies different levels and types of risk associated with a furnishing based on its intended use. Within resimercial, the commercial and residential requirements become blended, so your product would be evaluated to both sets of requirements in areas such as entrapment, stability and labeling, to name a few.

Q: What is the main concern reported by consumers involving furniture and electricity?

A: The main concern being reported today is the stability of furniture. With respect to electrified furniture, the main issue on consumers’ minds is overheating.

Q: Global market access requires evaluation to different standards, regional laws, etc. Is it possible to one-stop-shop at UL, instead of working with UL’s different departments?

A: Yes, it is possible. When you work with us, you are assigned a primary project manager who manages your projects, offers resources and provides you with updates on the various phases of a project.

Q: Are there templates with ready-to-work start sheets, and what are the costs for preliminary reviews?

A: Yes, there are. The start sheet includes built-in examples for you to use. It informs you about what product information is needed to successfully perform an evaluation. The cost for a preliminary review is based on the client’s informational goal they want to receive from the review, but typical costs range from $2,500 (USD) to $5,000 (USD).

Do you have questions on electrical safety in the furniture industry? Contact us to get in touch with UL’s subject matter experts today.