World's First UL Environment Certification to IEEE 1680.3 Awarded to Samsung 55" LED, 46" LED Televisions

Sustainability Certifications for Televisions Set Bar for Environmental Leadership

ATLANTA, Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), announces today that it has certified the Samsung 55" LED Television, 46" LED Television to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1680.3 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Televisions. These Samsung television models are the first to achieve UL's sustainable product certification to IEEE 1680.3.

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"This landmark accomplishment by Samsung provides other television manufacturers with a leadership model to continue to improve products to meet and exceed marketplace sustainability demands," said Sara Greenstein, president of UL Environment.

Products that achieve certification to IEEE standards are assessed and audited for a wide range of environmental criteria. These criteria include: environmentally sensitive materials and materials selection, design for end of life, product longevity/life cycle extension, energy conservation, end-of-life management, corporate performance, and packaging.

The Samsung 55" LED Television and 46" LED Television have attained Gold level certification, indicating that both products have achieved the highest level of environmental performance recognized by IEEE 1680.3, meeting all required criteria and a minimum of 75% of available optional criteria points.

"The electronics industry is evolving at an unparalleled rate, largely due to consumer preference, energy regulations, and corporate sustainability practices. Companies like Samsung are rising to the challenge to lessen the environmental impacts typically associated with these products," said Greenstein. "UL Environment helps manufacturers make and market more sustainable products. We have the expertise to propel them forward, and are pleased to support Samsung in these achievements."

UL provides the scientific expertise required to conduct readiness assessment, testing, and certification to the IEEE suite of standards. As a global Product Registration Entity (or PRE) for EPEAT®, a North American environmental rating system for electronics, UL may also assist manufacturers with registering products to the central EPEAT registry.

"We are proud that these Samsung televisions are being recognized by UL," said Hyogun Lee, senior vice president of Samsung Electronics Visual display Business. "Achieving UL's sustainable product certification shows our customers that Samsung is dedicated to delivering environmentally preferable products that do not compromise performance or functionality."

For more information on UL's turnkey services related to EPEAT registration and certification to IEEE 1680 standards, click here.

About UL Environment
UL Environment works to advance global sustainability, environmental health, and safety by supporting the growth and development of environmentally preferable products, services, and organizations. It helps companies achieve their sustainability goals – and meanwhile helps purchasers, specifiers, retailers, governments, and consumers find products they can trust. UL Environment offers environmental claim validations, multi-attribute product certifications, environmental product declarations, indoor air quality certification, product emissions testing, organizational sustainability certification, and consulting. For more information, visit www.ul.com/environment.

About UL
UL is a premier global independent safety science company with more than 118 years of history. Employing more than 10,000 professionals with customers in over 100 countries, UL has five distinct business units – Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Knowledge Services, and Verification Services – to meet the expanding needs of our customers and to deliver on our public safety mission. For more information on UL's family of companies and network of 95 laboratory, testing, and certification facilities, go to UL.com.

SOURCE UL Environment