UL Solutions CEO Jennifer Scanlon discusses the company’s evolving role in certifying product safety, including the launch of a new framework to evaluate the safety of AI-embedded technologies.

Key Points

• UL Solutions, formerly Underwriters Laboratories, has operated for 132 years, testing and certifying products to ensure electrical and fire safety.
• The company recently introduced UL 3115, a structured framework designed to evaluate AI-based products for bias, transparency, and privacy before and during deployment.
• UL Solutions operates as a for-profit entity, while its parent organization, UL Standards & Engagement, remains a nonprofit focused on research and advocacy.
• The company maintains a global network of testing labs, including significant operations in China, to support manufacturers in meeting international safety standards.
• Safety standards for lithium-ion batteries have become a primary focus, with the company working to reduce fire risks in e-mobility devices like e-bikes.

Why it Matters

As technology becomes increasingly complex and software-driven, the role of independent, third-party safety certification is critical for maintaining consumer trust and preventing product failures. By establishing consensus-based standards for emerging fields like AI, UL Solutions aims to create a safer marketplace while balancing the rapid pace of industrial innovation.