About Us

Underwriters Laboratories

Underwriters Laboratories is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the UL mission through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide the safe, sustainable commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security and sustainability.

We fund our work through grants, the licensing of standards documents and the business activities of UL Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary, which conducts testing, verification and certification, and provides training and advisory services, along with data-driven reporting and decision-making tools for customers around the world. To learn more about UL Inc., visit UL.com.

What We Do

Underwriters Laboratories research is independently conducted with the highest levels of technical rigor and is actively sought out by and accepted in the scientific world. Our efforts in standards development and active role in the global standards community help elevate minimum thresholds for safety worldwide. Safety and STEM education programs empower healthier and safer choices while inspiring the next generation of science leaders. Community and public outreach initiatives disseminate science-driven insights broadly to drive awareness of key safety threats and adoption of safer behaviors.

We leverage our combined capabilities and scientific expertise to collaborate with stakeholders around the world in driving positive change. We devote research and resources to the following key areas of concentration, and together our work strives to improve safety standards and practices worldwide.

Battery Safety

Investigating the limits of battery technologies to drive safer innovations and product performance

Chemical Insights

Promoting human health through research and awareness of the potential risks of chemical pollutants

Data Science

Providing analytical, statistical and predictive modeling to enhance strategy and research

Education and Outreach

Developing safety, health and sustainability education interventions to inspire behavior change, awareness and empower positive action

Fire Safety

Leading fire research and developing practical education to help firefighters stay safe and protect people and property

Standards

Delivering standards that guide the safety, performance and sustainability of products and services worldwide

Leadership Team

Terrence R. Brady

President and CEO

In his role, Terry sets the direction, priorities, and strategies for Underwriters Laboratories’ scientific research, standards development, education, and public outreach activities. He previously served as UL’s chief commercial and legal officer, managing key functions including legal services, ethics and compliance, government affairs, global security and brand protection, corporate marketing, and enterprise strategy.

Terry graduated with honors from Dartmouth College and Notre Dame Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy.

Christopher J. Cramer

Senior Vice President and Chief Research Officer

As chief research officer, Chris enhances the breadth and impact of Underwriters Laboratories' capabilities as a world-class safety science research and standards development institution. An accomplished academic leader, Chris most recently oversaw one of the largest public research programs in the United States as vice president for research at the University of Minnesota.

Chris earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He also served as editor-in-chief of the scholarly journal Theoretical Chemistry Accounts from 1997 to 2014.

Marilyn Black

Vice President and Senior Technical Advisor

Tom Chapin

Vice President, Research

Cara Gizzi

Vice President, Education and Outreach

Steve Kerber

Vice President, Research

Phil Piqueira

Vice President, Global Standards

Board of Trustees

Governance of Underwriters Laboratories is guided by a Board of Trustees comprised of individuals with a broad range of backgrounds and professional experiences.