UL
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | UL Solutions (originally Underwriters Laboratories) |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Organizations & Companies, Business & Finance |
UL has two meanings. It stands for UL Solutions (originally Underwriters Laboratories) (company and brand) or Universal life insurance (insurance).
Meanings of UL at a glance
| # | UL stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UL Solutions (originally Underwriters Laboratories) | Organizations & Companies › Company and Brand |
| 2 | Universal life insurance | Business & Finance › Insurance |
1. UL Solutions (originally Underwriters Laboratories)
Organizations & Companies · Company and Brand Abbreviations
American safety science company that tests and certifies products, from appliances and electronics to batteries, against safety standards. The UL mark appears on billions of products.
Example: Look for the UL mark on extension cords and space heaters.
Founded in Chicago in 1894 by electrical engineer William Henry Merrill to test the fire safety of electrical installations. Originally a nonprofit, its testing business became UL Solutions, which went public in 2024. UL writes many of the safety standards it tests against.
2. Universal life insurance
Business & Finance · Insurance Abbreviations
Permanent life insurance with flexible premiums and a cash value account that earns interest, letting policyholders adjust payments and death benefits within limits.
Example: Underfunding the UL policy for years left it at risk of lapsing at 80.
Introduced in 1979 as an alternative to whole life. If credited rates fall or premiums are skipped, policy charges can drain the cash value, so annual statements should be reviewed. In product safety, UL refers to UL Solutions, formerly Underwriters Laboratories.
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