The Underwriters Laboratories testing firm has expanded its Plastics Certification program to measure limits of several new materials.
Northbrook, Ill.-based UL now will use optional restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) and non-halogenated ratings. Both ratings “are designed to provide an easy means for specifiers and other purchasers to find plastics that meet RoHS or non-halogen requirements,” officials said in a Dec. 15 news release.
The RoHS rating will ensure that plastics are below legal limits for lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
The non-halogenated rating has two parts — one testing for fluorine, chlorine and bromine; and the other testing only for chlorine and bromine.
“We believe this will help manufacturers reduce testing and allow users to easily validate ratings of UL's certification databases,” UL performance materials vice president and general manager Todd Denison said.