UL (Underwriters Laboratories) , a global safety science leader, announced today it will host a conference on Wearable Technologies featuring product testing and certification in Taipei, as a side event ofThe 13th WTconference 2014 | Asia in Taipei, Taiwan.
Wearable products are rapidly developing into an industry that will impact people's daily lives from consumer electronics to medical devices. While this advancing technology may lead to smarter ways of living, Wearable Technologies (WT) product designers and manufacturers cannot afford to neglect safety testing, regulatory compliance and performance verification.
According to the UL's "The Product Mindset 2013", 92% of the surveyed manufacturers and 73% of the surveyed consumers agree that product safety is a priority that is becoming more important. However, 58% of the consumers believe that manufacturers need to improve product safety.
"When new technology arises, manufacturers tend to focus on the development of their product's unique features as well as amazing user-friendly interfaces. However, product safety and performance concerns should also be addressed during the production stage," saidBarry Yu, General Manager for Greater China, Consumer Technology Division, UL.
"By going through a comprehensive testing and certification process with a widely recognized third party conformity assessment organization, manufacturers can anticipate risks in many areas and mitigate them well in advance of product launch. In addition, the compliance proof will be the most influential marketing tool to gain consumer confidence," Yu added.
Backed by over 120 years of expertise in safety science, UL's laboratories have been well-recognized by many global regulatory organizations in the fields of product safety, wireless interoperability, energy efficiency, biocompatibility and medical regulatory requirements including IEEE/ IECEE, American National Standards Institute (ANSI), FCC, Wi-Fi Alliance, Bluetooth SIG, Apple MFi, A2LA, CTIA, Qi/PMA/A4WP Wireless Power Charging Certification, Qualcomm® Quick ChargeTM 2.0, ENERGY STAR®, The California Energy Commission (CEC), UKAS, SCC, FDA, national/regional regulatory bodies in Japan, Taiwan, India, Singapore and many others.
To assist technology innovators to understand more about testing and certification options for them, UL is organizing a conference titled "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TESTING & CERTIFICATION" on October 9, 2014. In the conference, UL experts will provide valuable insights and information to help WT manufacturers build a regulatory knowledge foundation that can accelerate the successful deployment of wearable technology devices such as smart watches, smart glasses and all types of wearable sensors to the marketplace. By nature, wearable technology is a diverse and rapidly expanding market. Therefore, UL's extensive safety science knowledge and testing experience in all of the sectors that wearable technology is being developed is crucial for the industry. It helps manufacturers launch safer products and thus protect the rights of end users.
Christian Stammel, CEO and Founder, Wearable Technologies AG will also be joining UL conference as a keynote speaker.
"I am proud to join this industry event which is complementing our Wearable Technologies Conference onOctober 8 perfectly. Certification is a crucial topic for everyone building tech that is worn close to the body. Both conference days are a must-attend for everyone interested in wearable tech," said Stammel.
