Avery Dennison has created a new Global Client Service Laboratory at its Innovation Center in Mentor, OH, USA, that will help customers reduce the time to market for new durable label products by accelerating the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) certification process. The certification scope includes UL standard 969 and CSA standard C22.2 No. 0.15 for nameplates and safety labels.

“With this UL-certified lab, we have everything needed to conduct testing equivalent to what is done in UL’s laboratories, and address our customers’ need for a faster certification process,” says Hoa Pham, technical manager, durables, Label and Packaging Materials, Avery Dennison.

As part of the process, a series of tests are conducted on all substrates, inks and ribbons being considered for use in the production of the label, including legibility, defacement, chemical exposure, accelerated weathering, humidity exposure, oven aging, adhesion and abrasion.

“These tests certify the label material has passed rigorous processes and ensure the performance of the label will be permanent and legible once attached to a product – even under extreme conditions,” Pham says.

The Global Client Service Laboratory is an expansion of Avery Dennison’s commitment to creating programs that assist converters in obtaining UL certification in a cost-effective, efficient manner. In 2010 Avery Dennison introduced the Fasson Customer-Ready Durables portfolio. The first collection of its kind, the portfolio features seven UL-certified, multi-purpose products proven to work in a majority of durable goods applications.

“In tandem, the Customer-Ready Portfolio and Global Client Service Laboratory offer our customers a streamlined, timely process to qualify durable label products for UL certification and get them to market for sale,” adds Michael Welch, product manager, durables, Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials – North America.