UL Celebrates 100 Years in Canada

Canadian Flag

Nov 16, 2020

UL officially marks its 100th anniversary in Canada this year. Initially established in Toronto by UL founder, William H. Merrill, to test the safety of appliances and other household devices, UL in Canada has grown over the past century to now employ more than 275 engineers, technicians and administrative staff at its nine facilities throughout Canada in Toronto, Edmonton, Mississauga, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver.

Today, as a leading, trusted science-based safety, security and sustainability partner, UL continues to help companies bring safer products to Canadian and global marketplaces. As Canada’s industries have grown, changed and innovated, UL has evolved from focusing on fire safety testing to include construction and engineering, energy and utilities, life safety and security as well as legal cannabis.

“For the past 100 years, UL has helped advance the possibilities of today while safeguarding the unknowns of tomorrow,” said Joseph Hosey, country manager for UL in Canada. “As our customers have innovated to succeed in their own industries, we too have innovated our proven scientific processes and solutions to drive positive changes.”

Developing solutions for local or regional needs within Canada is key to UL’s success. Recent advances include:

In 2017, UL acquired CLEB, a Montreal-based building envelope and building sciences service provider to increase building science services that included building envelope testing, building forensics, field testing and building system commissioning for architects, building owners and manufacturers.

In 2018, Canada was the first country to federally legalize recreational cannabis. UL saw the need for safety services with this new and unregulated industry and looks to lead the development of industry guidelines and recommendation to address the safety, security and sustainability of facilities and operations in the legal cannabis industry. UL recently partnered with the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) to host an international workshop agreement through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to further define industry guidelines.

Canada is a leader in providing energy safety solutions, not just to Canadian consumers but around the globe. In 2019, UL opened a new office in Edmonton, Alberta, to provide local support to the country’s energy hub. The location offers collaborative safety solutions for market demand today with a vision toward supporting the new, sustainable energy solutions of the future.

Over the past year, facing challenges brought on by COVID-19, UL continued to help customers in Canada test the safety, security, performance and sustainability of their products. The company shifted key parts of its business to a virtual model, including remote inspections, audits and witness testing, to compensate for modified working arrangements in order to keep its employees as well as its customers safe.

“We swiftly mobilized our resources to support customers during this challenging time. It’s less invasive to our customers’ operations, and we can still deliver best-in-class services to our customers regardless where they are,” Hosey said.

As UL focuses on the next 100 years, it looks to continue to help support customer growth by partnering with innovators in Canada to discover new possibilities and deliver what matters – safety, security and sustainability.

“Canada has a lot to be proud of, now and in the future,” said Sajeev Jesudas, international president, UL. “UL is committed to its customers, and we’re here to help with challenges big or small. Whether it’s research and development, manufacturing automation or supply chain complexity, our customers can draw from the knowledge of our highly competent local teams.”

For more information about the UL in Canada, please visit Canada.UL.com.

About UL

UL helps create a better world by applying science to solve safety, security and sustainability challenges. We empower trust by enabling the safe adoption of innovative new products and technologies. Everyone at UL shares a passion to make the world a safer place. All of our work, from independent research and standards development, to testing and certification, to providing analytical and digital solutions, helps improve global well-being. Businesses, industries, governments, regulatory authorities and the public put their trust in us so they can make smarter decisions. To learn more, visit UL.com. To learn more about our nonprofit activities, visit UL.org.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    In interior design, lighting is not just about brightening the room. Sensitive lighting layout is the key in the whole aesthetic atmosphere. An outstanding lighting solution will not rely on one type of fixture. Rather, it is through the combination of different types of lighting. Accent, ambient, and task lighting are three basic types of… Read More…

  • Graphic Office Interiors Enhance Their Office Space, Incorporating State-Of-The-Art Lighting Solutions

    Graphic Office Interiors Enhance Their Office Space, Incorporating State-Of-The-Art Lighting Solutions

    Graphic Office Interiors, a renowned office design and furnishings company serving Vancouver Island since 1966, embarked on a unique lighting project for their personal office in Saanichton, BC. This project marked the first collaboration between Kelly Inglis of Mac’s II Agencies and Graphic Office Interiors’ in-house registered interior designer, Laura Harlos. Known for their exclusive Steelcase furniture line, modular moveable… Read More…


New Products

  • Eureka Announces New Accessories for Scout Luminaire

    Eureka Announces New Accessories for Scout Luminaire

    Eureka has announced the enhancement of its Scout luminaire family with the introduction of new accessories and a new color palette. Three new diffusers have been introduced. Bell is minimalist, translucent and cloche-shaped. Pebble introduces a soft touch and an ambient glow in a distinct, oval-shaped diffuser. Orb is sleek and dome-shaped, adding a touch… Read More…

  • Amico: SOLAR ECLIPSE – 2X4 Multi-Functional Luminaire

    Amico: SOLAR ECLIPSE – 2X4 Multi-Functional Luminaire

    The Solar Eclipse Series provides a multi-functional luminaire that supports the demands of the hospital environment. The sleek and modern design merges architectural aesthetics with exceptional lighting performance to improve patient comfort while maximizing clinical efficiencies. This architectural patient room fixture offers reading, ambient, and exam functionalities and an optional night light. Multi-functional capabilities provide… Read More…