Since the late 1800s, UL has been creating safety standards for electronics and other industries. 

Created in 1894 as the Underwriters' Electrical Bureau, UL has been a major force in helping to direct the innovation that has given use our modern devices and interfaces. The standards-maker routinely assists in tracking and observing industry trends, and taking steps to shape the future of how we work with high-tech products.

Now, UL has expanded its global reach with a new testing laboratory in Varese, Italy, where the safety science leader is developing a performance testing lab that will have big results for appliance manufacturers.

"We are very pleased to bring AE Performance Testing Lab's industry experience and service portfolio into the UL organization," Todd Denison, vice president and general manager of UL's Appliances HVAC and Lighting Division, said in a press statement. "The acquisition significantly strengthens UL's global energy efficiency and performance testing solutions in the appliances sector."

UL bought the laboratory from AE SRL, a company that has been active since 1997.

Speaking to Maghreb News Wire on Aug. 24, UL Global PR and Social Media Manager Dagmar Ebaugh said the move will help North African firms be more efficient in how they approach shipping.

Any manufacturers who are involved in that market can come to a laboratory that's closer to them – Ebaugh said. “It gives them closer access … the benefit to any appliance manufacturer is that they can now have access to a UL lab with much more proximity.”

The move, Ebaugh said, also enhances what UL can do around the globe.

“This expands the UL capability from our perspective,” Ebaugh said.

Although AE-SRL sold its testing laboratory, Ebaugh said, the company is still active in pursuing research and development in its markets.

New regional resources like UL’s new lab will help stakeholders to manufacture from places like Algeria and Tunisia, to ship products, and to expand corporate footprints in an increasingly connected global market.