What are UL and ULC certifications?

For projects in the United States and Canada, SAB offers a wide range of UL- and ULC-certified wall and roof panels. These certifications confirm the fire performance, safety, and impact resistance of our insulated building systems in accordance with North American standards.

Do you see UL or ULC on a product or in technical documentation?

Then you are dealing with well-known certifications from UL Solutions (formerly Underwriters Laboratories):

• UL (Underwriters Laboratories):
  A globally recognized American certification mark that stands for reliability and safety. Products with a UL mark have been thoroughly tested and comply with strict U.S. safety standards—making it a strong signal of quality for both businesses and end users.
• ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada):
  The Canadian counterpart to UL. A ULC mark indicates that a product has been specifically approved in accordance with Canadian laws and regulations. Ideal for organizations operating in or expanding into the Canadian market.

Key aspects:

1. Thorough product testing under extreme conditions

Products with UL or ULC certification are tested beyond normal usage scenarios, such as:

• Overheating and fire hazards
• Mechanical stress (drops, vibrations)
• Exposure to moisture or dust

This ensures the product continues to function safely even under unexpected or demanding conditions.

2. Continuous quality control (not a one-time test)

Many people assume certification is a one-time test, but with UL/ULC:

• Factories are regularly inspected
• Production must consistently meet the same standards
• Certifications can be revoked in case of deviations

This guarantees ongoing safety—not just for the first product.

3. Risk reduction and liability

For companies, UL/ULC offers strong legal and commercial advantages:

• Reduces the risk of product liability
• Supports compliance with laws and regulations
• Lowers insurance risks

It also serves as a form of risk management.

4. International recognition and trust

Although UL is American and ULC is Canadian:

• They are recognized worldwide by buyers and regulators
• They are often required for access to certain markets
• They increase trust among partners and end users

The certification mark therefore also acts as proof of quality in the marketplace.

In summary

UL and ULC represent more than international recognition and regulatory compliance—they stand for proven safety, risk management, and reliability throughout the entire product lifecycle.

Available UL / ULC standards

Our SAB panels are certified according to the following UL and ULC test standards:

• UL 723 – Test for surface burning characteristics of building materials
• UL 790 – Standard test methods for fire tests of roof coverings
• CAN/ULC S101 – Fire endurance tests of building construction and materials
• CAN/ULC S102 – Surface burning characteristics of building materials and assemblies
• CAN/ULC S107 – Impact resistance of roof coverings
• CAN/ULC S126 – Fire spread under roof deck assemblies
• CAN/ULC S138 – Fire growth of insulated building panels in a large-scale room configuration

With these UL and ULC approvals, SAB ensures that its insulated panels meet strict North American requirements for fire safety and performance. This makes them highly suitable for industrial, commercial, and logistics buildings in the region.

All UL/ULC certification documents can be downloaded from the SAB download centre.