Automotive and Mobility

Automotive and in-vehicle electronic technologies

We work with automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers to help bring safer, smarter automotive and in-vehicle electronic technologies to the market. We offer a comprehensive set of services throughout the entire evolution cycle — including assessing material selections, testing and certification, supply chain management and production all the way to homologation.

Automotive Materials Testing Solutions

Our independent testing centers verify material and product performance according to customer specific requirements and international test standards, as well as local and global regulations.

We can support you along the entire product development and automotive supply chain, from the planning and design phase to material selection up to the final production part approval process (PPAP) for an expedited time to market.

Our solutions for the automotive industry include:

• Preparation and production of samples for testing
• Prediction of environmental performance via artificial weathering, thermal aging and ozone stress testing
• Automotive testing in the areas of rheology, mechanics, fire, media resistance and surface performance
• Development, execution and management of test programs according to global and local standards, regulations and OEM requirements. For example:
  • As part of the Daimler Web 2020 program
  • Volkswagen Regulation VW 52000
  • BMW Group Standard (GS) 93016

Automotive Functional Safety Services

We help bring clarity to functional safety process, assessment and compliance. Our advanced approach to advising, evaluating and certifying the functional safety aspects of products and systems across many industries enables us to help you successfully address functional safety challenges.

Automotive Supply Chain Management Solutions

Without deep insight into the supply chain, it’s impossible to manage production logistics, quality assurance and risk. We help you transform your supply chains into seamless, all-inclusive networks. From monitoring, research and program development and training, we help provide the intelligence and tools that the automotive industry needs to develop and implement sustainable, agile business practices within its supply chains.

Automotive Regulatory and Homologation Advisory Services

We simplify your compliance needs at full length with trusted expertise. Our experts create homologation plans to help you identify critical type approvals, accreditations and export requirements for your destination countries, long before you reach the border. We manage your homologation projects from start to finish, saving you countless hours and resources.

Meet original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards

Vehicle electronic subassemblies and components pose unique testing challenges to recreate the in-vehicle device operation and monitor performance in a laboratory setting. UL’s expert engineers assist automotive suppliers with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recognized electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) validation testing of varied component types such as: switches, motors, electronic control units (ECUs), lighting assemblies, electric vehicle (EV) battery control modules and even complex infotainment modules to meet OEM testing requirements.

Test for interoperability

All major auto manufacturers have Bluetooth® integrated into their cars to enable drivers to operate their mobile phone hands-free for added safety and convenience. The smartphone is at the center of the user experience in the vehicle, and incompatibilities with a single phone model can lead to frustrated customers and overwhelmed service and call centers. UL offers interoperability testing services for:

• Wi-Fi
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Wireless charging

Minimize security threats

With public concerns over car-hacking incidents, UL offers vehicle system cybersecurity solutions that perform threat analysis, risk assessments, testing for possible vulnerabilities or validating security protection measures. For example, UL In-Vehicle-Infotainment (IVI) security testing helps ensure that the IVI system and the communication to and from the IVI system are secure. This full portfolio of options helps secure vehicle systems and sensitive data, including personally identifiable information (PII).

Environmental influences

Interior and exterior automotive components are exposed to various environmental influences throughout their entire life cycle: from temperature fluctuations to UV weathering and moisture. In order to avoid negative effects on the durability, UL offers extensive tests to determine environmental influences on the respective components.

With standardized and customer-specific test procedures we are able to help you validate the long-term performance of automobile manufacturers using accelerated test methods. This helps ensure the quality of your components throughout the whole product life cycle.

Global Market Access

Vehicle wireless communication features and gateways must meet regulatory compliance for the countries in which the vehicle will be purchased. At first glance, obtaining type approvals for Global Market Access appears complex. UL helps wireless suppliers navigate these challenges with our expertise, deep market knowledge, global footprint and staff who are ready to navigate these challenges.

China Compulsory Certification (CCC) for automotive

UL has experience working with the Chinese automotive certification industry and, with experts in the region, is equipped to simplify this process. Manufacturing products for the automotive market can be challenging due to the multitude of regulations and standards required to work with major automotive OEMs in various countries/regions.

Personal e-Mobility Testing and Certification

We can help confirm that your personal e-mobility devices meet critical safety requirements by testing and evaluating the electrical drive train system, battery system and charger system combinations. We also provide you with electrical and fire safety certification. With the expanding global popularity of these e-transportation devices, helping ensure their safe operation is a vital step in protecting consumers and your brand.

Micromobility Device Testing and Certification

Micromobility products, electric vehicles that weigh less than 500 kilograms and operate as low-speed electric vehicles, typically 25 mph or less, are rapidly growing in popularity and diversity. And to keep pace with these innovative products entering the market, new standards are emerging to evaluate the safety of the battery, electrical and charging systems. These new standards for safety will help ensure energy is governed and used appropriately throughout the thousands of cycles of micromobility device charges and discharges.

e-Bike Testing

As e-bike technology evolves, new safety strategies and standards are being put in place to help reduce the risk of electric shock and fire during use and charging. We test to UL 2849, the Outline of Investigation for Electric Bicycles, Electrically Power Assisted Cycles (EPAC Bicycles), Electric Scooters and Electric Motorcycles, and to European standards

Hoverboard, e-Scooter and e-Skateboard Safety Testing

Enhanced functionality and increased adoption of ride-sharing services are driving significant demand for personal e-mobility devices, such as hoverboards, e-scooters and e-skateboards. We assess electrical drive train systems, battery systems and charger system combinations to help manufacturers meet the critical safety requirements outlined in ANSI/CAN/UL 2272, the Standard for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices.

Why UL?

Some of the benefits of working with our team of experts can include:

Optimizing your development process: With our service portfolio, you have access to a single source for compounding trials and test specimen production via injection molding, as well as testing and certification of thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers and composites. Technical advisory services complements our full-service service provider.

Reducing your costs: Thanks to our accredited, independent testing centers, manufacturers are able to reduce their own costs, as they do not need their own laboratory.

Receiving independent and reliable test results: We verify material and product performance of various automotive components made of plastics according to international standards — International Organization for Standardization (ISO), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Germany’s Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA), UL, etc. — as well as customer delivery specifications.

Accelerating your time to market: Experience quick turnaround times as per our highly automated modern equipment and the option of bundling services together. Thanks to the deep, comprehensive knowledge and experience of our subject matter experts, we’ll help streamline certification and approval internationally without the need for retesting while reducing costs.