Updated Label Requirements for Electric Fan Products

Changing holographic label requirements

When your products are eligible to bear the UL Mark, you want the world to know it. Authorization to apply a UL Mark to a product is a critical piece of the certification process. We have listened to the electric fan industry’s feedback and are implementing a simplified approach to labeling.

Beginning in 2025, UL Solutions will be phasing out the holographic labels (currently ordered through a UL Solutions Label Center) for electric fans manufacturers and moving to a nonholographic label employing an Enhanced UL Certification Mark (approved through our Marks and Label Hub) in its place.

• Instead of having to order electric fan labels through our label center, you can either print your labels directly within your facility or purchase directly from an authorized label supplier.
• Enjoy the benefit of no annual label fee from UL Solutions through self-printing your labels, or you may purchase labels directly from an authorized label supplier.

Visit our UL Product iQ® database to confirm if your products fall under the assigned Category Control Numbers (CCNs). All products under these CCNs will fall under the new label requirements after the deadline.

• Ceiling Suspended Fans (GPRT)
• Ceiling Suspended Fans, Certified for Canada (GPRT/7)
• Portable Electric Fans (GPWV)
• Portable Electric Fans, Certified for Canada (GPWV/7)
• Permanently Installed Electric Fans (GPWX)
• Permanently Installed Electric Fans, Certified for Canada (GPWX7)

Holographic labels are serialized, requiring UL Solutions to collaborate on the printing of each label batch. Switching the electric fan categories to nonholographic labels using the Enhanced Mark allows customers to print or procure labels after a one-time artwork approval instead of requiring collaboration with the UL Label Center for each batch of labels. In addition, the use of our optional promotional badges will deliver greater transparency into the UL certifications your products have achieved. For more information on our enhanced Marks, visit our Marks and Label Hub.

To view guidance on our advertising requirements, visit our Marketing Guidelines page.

While some certification bodies charge an annual fee for the ability to print certification labels, UL Solutions allows manufacturers the ability to print their labels with no annual label fee. The retirement of holographic labels will also enable customers to label all their UL Certified fan products on standard paper labels, delivering a simpler, more uniform experience.

How do the new printing choices work?

There are options available after Jan. 15, 2025 for how to print or procure labels.

• Printing your own labels at your facility gives you more flexibility and allows you to direct print without label order delays. If you decide to print your own UL Mark labels at your manufacturing facility, our Marks and Label Hub will guide you to design the appropriate UL Mark artwork. All you need to get started is your file number, or project number and product CCN. Access the Marks and Label Hub with your myUL Client Portal login credentials.
  • Step 1: Design and approval. Visit our Marks and Label Hub to design your Mark. Once you have logged in, select Create in the top navigation, then Design or upload labels. Follow the steps to submit your design for Label artwork approval.
  • Step 2: Once approval is received in the Marks and Label Hub, you can begin printing labels through your method of choice – either in-house, or through an authorized label supplier.
• Ordering labels from an authorized label supplier makes reordering labels simple:
  • Steps 1 and 2: Same as above.
  • Step 2: Search for a local authorized printer through Product iQ. Search “PGAA” to see a list of authorized printers and optionally narrow your search further by geographic location. All UL Solutions customers have access to complimentary registration with Product iQ.

Keep reading to learn more about how this label migration will take place, and the timing of the change.

Why now?

UL Solutions acknowledges that fan manufacturers appreciate the added flexibility and control over their product labeling, as well as lower label procurement costs.

The enhanced Mark offers transparency for authorities, buyers, retailers and consumers with fast access to or confirmation of certification details. Each UL certification mark indicates product attributes, service description, country code, file number and an optional QR code that leads to a UL Solutions-hosted certification page. Learn more about the enhanced UL Mark.

What is the timeline for this change, and what should be done with spare labels?

The changeover will begin Jan. 15, 2025. UL Solutions will continue to offer the old labels to fan manufacturers until stock is depleted.

Holographic labels that you may have in stock can be utilized on products until Dec. 31, 2027. After this date, manufacturers will no longer be permitted to apply the holographic label. UL Solutions advises customers not to overstock inventory of holographic labels in anticipation of this change and recommends that customers begin depleting existing stock immediately. We also encourage customers to set up their enhanced Mark artwork as soon as possible in anticipation of switching to printing at their facility or using an authorized printer.

Migration timeline

UL Solutions will send you communications to remind subscribers of these key steps in the label migration.

1. Jan. 15, 2025 – UL Solutions announces plans to retire holographic labels for fan products. Manufacturers are encouraged to make plans to design UL Mark labels to be printed in house or purchased from authorized label suppliers as soon as possible. UL Solutions will process orders for the existing holographic labels until inventory is depleted. Any holographic labels customers have in stock can still be used until Dec. 31, 2027. We encourage all customers to begin preparing to switch as soon as possible.
2. 2025 through 2027 – Electric fan manufacturers should deplete their existing stock of holographic labels and prepare to print the new labels at their facility or order them through an authorized printer.
3. Jan. 1, 2028 – After this date, the holographic labels will be discontinued, and products will no longer be permitted to bear the holographic label with the UL Mark. Fan products will be labeled using the newly designed Mark being printed in house or purchased from authorized label suppliers. Customers should work with their local field engineer to handle any labels that are not used by the expiration date.
4. Dec. 31, 2028 – Provisions for reference to the UL Marks being retired on product packaging and marketing materials will be discontinued, and only the enhanced Mark should be used.

We’re here to support you; contact us with questions and for any help needed before getting started.

FAQs

Q: What action should I take at this time?

A: Start with taking an inventory of your holographic label stock for electric fan products. This will help you determine a schedule for depleting them by the effective date, Dec. 31, 2027. Going forward you will need to decide if you want to print labels at your authorized factories or order them through a UL Solutions authorized label supplier. Follow the instructions provided on this page for the necessary steps that must be completed before you print or order your first batch of labels. We recommend that you keep any future orders of holographic labels to minimal quantities, just enough to carry you through while your company transitions to the new labels. Please note that holographic labels cannot be used in production on or after the cut-off date, Dec. 31, 2027.

Q: Am I going to need to apply for permanent issue numbers like I do for some of our other CCNs before I print labels in the plants?

A: No, you will not have to apply for a permanent issue number. You will use the enhanced Mark with your file number on the new labels.

Q: Are there going to be audits of the printing equipment to ensure that recognized printers, label stock and ink are being used?

A: When the UL Mark is integrated into a label with markings required by a specific UL Standard, the label would need to meet applicable material and print requirements in your UL Solutions Follow-Up Services procedure.

Q: Can the new label marking be molded or laser etched into the product?

A: Yes, the enhanced UL Mark can be molded or etched directly on the product. Please visit our Marks and Label Hub for more information or assistance with your UL Mark printing needs.

Q: Can I begin to apply the new promotional badge on the packaging of my certified products while I continue to use up my remaining inventory of holographic labels until Dec. 31, 2027?

A: The promotional badge on packaging is intended to be used in combination with products bearing the enhanced Mark. During the transition period ending on Dec. 31, 2027, the promotional badge may appear on the packaging of certified electric fan products bearing either the holographic label or the enhanced Mark.

Q: What do I do with leftover stock of holographic labels after Dec. 31, 2027?

A: Stock should be depleted before this time, after which inventory should be discarded.

Q: Can I apply my own voluntary holographic label for security reasons if it is separate from the nonholographic label bearing the UL Mark?

A: Yes.

Q: Can I use the traditional UL Mark (UL symbol, “LISTED,” product identity and control number) after Dec. 31, 2027?

A: No.