UL Solutions Debuts Portable Generator Laboratory in North America, Helping Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

UL Solutions has opened a new portable generator testing laboratory at the company’s multiple laboratory complex in Toronto to help global manufacturers bring safer portable generators to the market and help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning of humans and pets. (Photo: Business Wire)

UL Solutions can now test portable generators for carbon monoxide emissions and shutoff technology for additional consumer protection against carbon monoxide poisoning.

NORTHBROOK, Ill., September 26, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS), a global leader in applied safety science, today announced it opened a new portable generator testing laboratory at the company’s multiple laboratory complex in Toronto to help global manufacturers bring safer portable generators to the market and help prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning of humans and pets.

Every year, people and pets die in incidents related to portable generator use. For example, most of the incidents associated with portable generators that were reported to the United States (U.S.) Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) involved CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially enclosed spaces, which can pose safety risks. According to a CPSC report, “Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Deaths Associated with the Use of Consumer Products 2020 Annual Estimates,” on average, more than 200 consumers die in the U.S. each year from CO poisoning related to consumer products; about 92 of those deaths are linked to portable generators.

“Portable generators are essential in keeping appliances and other critical items running during power outages and related events such as wildfires, severe weather and natural disasters. However, portable generators can also present risks if not used in the correct environment, and it’s important for consumers to take precautions and follow safety instructions,” said David Lefebvre, regional director of Canada at UL Solutions. “With our new portable generator testing capabilities, UL Solutions is helping address potentially unsafe levels of carbon monoxide that can result from the misuse of portable generators.”

UL Solutions tests portable generators to UL 2201, the Standard for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Emission Rate of Portable Generators. In order to achieve certification, a portable generator must limit the active CO emissions produced while its engine is running and be equipped with a sensor that will shut the unit off if it detects a high output or accumulation of CO.

Consumers can identify UL Certified portable generator models in the marketplace by looking for the UL Certification Mark on the product. All portable generator models certified by UL Solutions are listed in the UL Product iQ® certification database at www.ProductiQ.ULProspector.com.

Visit www.UL.com/PortableGenerators to learn more about UL Solutions portable generator safety testing and certification.

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About UL Solutions

A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offerings, that support our customers’ product innovation and business growth. The UL Mark serves as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers’ products and reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future. Our science is your advantage.

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Tyler Khan
UL Solutions
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Steven Brewster
UL Solutions
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