Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. of Seoul, South Korea, reported that UL (Underwriters Laboratories) has qualified Samsung’s test lab for LED packages and modules. UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is a widely-recognized global safety science organization.
The qualification allows Samsung to operate the UL Total Certification Program (TCP), which is one of the highest levels of testing and qualification under UL’s Data Acceptance Program (DAP).
UL’s standards and certifications are known worldwide as indicators of product safety and reliability. In order to better handle increasing requests for testing and certification, UL has been running DAP. The DAP program allows approved manufacturers to test products with their own labs, equipment, and engineers and then submit the test data to UL for review. UL has now recognized Samsung’s test lab for LED packages and modules for the TCP program. Within UL-specified parameters, Samsung can manage the full TCP process. The method includes examining a product’s structure, choosing and performing appropriate UL testing, and obtaining UL certification.
Beginning from May 2016, Samsung will perform tests to measure the safety of its LED components under variations in environmental settings such as electrical, temperature and humidity.
“Being selected to operate under UL’s Total Certification Program underscores the excellence of Samsung’s LED product quality and the thoroughness of our verification processes,” said SungKwan Lim, vice president of the LED Quality team, Samsung Electronics. “By fully embracing the UL TCP, we will be able to speed up the UL testing and certification process for our LED products and strengthen the foundation for our LED business around the world.”
“We are confident that UL TCP will support Samsung’s LED business with more flexibility for timely UL certifications,” said Todd Denison, vice president and general manager of UL’s Appliances, HVAC and Lighting division. “UL will continue to work closely with manufacturers to support improvements in the overall safety of LED components.”
Samsung says managing its own UL-approved test lab will help it reduce the testing period for its LED components by about 50-75 percent. The reduced testing period will enable Samsung to more rapidly bring UL-certified LED components to customers.
As a part of UL’s criteria for TCP qualification, Samsung satisfied the quality management system requirements, which ISO 17025 stipulated. Testing and calibration laboratories use the ISO 17025 standard for the accreditation that grants them wide recognition for their technical competence. As part of the testing validation process, UL will regularly assess Samsung’s test lab as the TCP program requires.
A few years ago, the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS), a government accreditation organization for testing and inspection labs, qualified Samsung’s LED test lab. Also, the VDE Institute, the testing and certification branch of VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies based in Europe, recognized Samsung’s LED testing lab.
