D ATA A C C E P TA N C E P R O G R A M

UL Witness Test Data Program

Investigations of products by UL typically involve testing of product samples. While UL maintains

extensive test facilities, customers can also utilize their own or third-party test facilities. Through UL’s
Witness Test Data Program (WTDP) tests may be conducted at customer or third-party test facilities
under the supervision of UL personnel.

Participating test facilities are required to have the appropriate

ISO/IEC 17025:2005
physical resources and equipment and qualified personnel Applicable Clause(s)
Requirement
needed to conduct testing. The laboratory, physical resources,
equipment, personnel and procedures must be equivalent 1. Critical consumables 4.6
to what would be used in UL’s own laboratories for the
2. Equipment 5.5.1, 5.5.2, 5.5.4, 5.5.5, 5.6.2
same testing.
3. Accommodation and 5.3.1, 5.3.2, 5.3.3
All samples tested, equipment and methods used, and results environmental conditions
obtained are to be fully documented as part of the data sheet
package. 4. Personnel 5.2.5

5. Identification of test items 5.8.2

Tests shall be performed and data collected under the
supervision of UL personnel. Typically, UL personnel will 6. Data recording and reporting 4.13.2, 5.10
witness all testing.

Critical consumables
Requirements
(ISO/IEC 17025:2005 clause 4.6)
A participating laboratory must have documented procedures
and policies in place to assure accuracy and precision in All consumables must meet technical specifications noted
performing tests, obtaining data and reporting results. in the test standard. Consumables shall be stored in a
manner to avoid degradation or deterioration. See UL
As a prerequisite for participating in UL’s Witnessed Test Data
document 00-OP-C0033 Laboratory Consumables for Client
Program, UL personnel will conduct a technical assessment
Labs and 00-OP-C0037 Thermocouple Wire Validation for
to verify that a participating laboratory operation addresses
Client Labs at www.ul.com/dap > Resources > DAP Tools for
specific clauses of ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The applicable clauses
more information.
of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 reviewed on-site are summarized in the
table below. Additional information regarding UL requirements
can be found at www.ul.com/dap > Resources > DAP Tools.

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 Test equipment Records maintained for each instrument and any automated
software are to include:
(ISO/IEC 17025:2005 clauses 5.5.1, 5.5.2, 5.5.4, 5.5.5 and 5.6.2)
• Full identification of equipment and records of its acquisition
A participating laboratory must be furnished with test
equipment sufficient to correctly perform tests in accordance • Detailed history of damage, malfunction, modification,
with the applicable test standard or procedure. The equipment maintenance and repair
is to be at least as accurate as specified or implied in the test • Calibration certificates
standard or procedure or UL’s minimum accuracy requirements
• Records demonstrating that equipment complies with
as specified in UL document 00-OP-C0034 Equipment Accuracy
specified tolerances
Requirements for Client Labs at www.ul.com/dap > Resources >
DAP Tools. • Current location of equipment

• When appropriate, maintenance plan and all maintenance

All equipment shall be in good working order and calibrated to
carried out to date
a nationally or internationally recognized standard of measure
or standard reference material. When traceability is not • Current version of software, regardless of source, and
validation records of software developed and maintained
possible, other procedures must be used to assure traceability in
by the laboratory.
accordance with ISO/IEC 17025. The calibration frequency must
assure the required degree of accuracy between each calibration.
Test environment
Generally, equipment shall be calibrated at least annually.
Each instrument shall bear a calibration sticker with both the (ISO/IEC 17025:2005 clauses 5.3.1, 5.3.2 and 5.3.3)
latest calibration date and the calibration due date. Calibration
Test areas must have proper energy resources, lighting,
certificates must be available on file. UL will collect a copy of each
temperature control, humidity control and other environmental
calibration certificate for equipment utilized in witness testing.
conditions required to conduct tests. All participating laboratories
Note: Effective Jan. 1, 2009, test equipment calibration must be shall effectively monitor and control those factors that affect
conducted by an accredited calibration laboratory. Acceptable testing. Please ee UL document 00-OP-C0035 Laboratory Ambient
calibration laboratories are accredited by an ILAC APLAC or EAC Conditions for Clients Labs and 00-OP-C0036 Laboratory Power
Mutual Recognition Agreement signatory such as A2LA, NIST/ Quality for Client Labs at www.ul.com/dap > Resources > DAP
NVLAP, UKAS, SCC, NATA, JCSS, JAB, DKD, JNLA NATA and IAS. Please Tools for more information
see UL document 00-OP-C0032 Calibration Certificate Analysis
for Client Labs at www.ul.com/dap > Resources > DAP Tools for Personnel qualifications
more information. (ISO/IEC 17025:2005 clause 5.2.5)

For laboratories that conduct calibrations for their own purposes, Testing personnel are to have the education, training, technical
UL will assess traceability for compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2005. knowledge and experience to conduct tests under the
For details of UL’s requirements for In-House calibration supervision of UL personnel.
laboratories, please see UL document 00-OP-C0038 In-House
Calibration Requirements for Client Labs at www.ul.com/dap >
Resources > DAP Tools.

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 Identification of test items How to apply
(ISO/IEC 17025:2005 clause 5.8.2) Customers interested in participating in the Witness Test
Data Program should contact their UL Conformity Assessment
Samples are to be clearly identified and correlated to the test
Engineer to discuss the use of this service as it is conducted as
conducted and data obtained. In the case of multiple samples
part of the product certification assessment.
of one model or type, unique identifiers must be used to
distinguish between tested samples.

Data recording and reporting

(ISO/IEC 17025:2005 clauses 4.13.2 and 5.10)

Participating laboratories are to record all observed data as

well as a description of the test method or reference to the test
method used, e.g., standard name, standard number, edition or
issue date, latest revision date, clause, and test name. Data are
to be recorded in ink on form or standard laboratory data sheets.
Personnel at participating laboratories must use form UL data
sheets when available.

• If an error is made in recording data, it is to be neatly lined

out, the correct information recorded, the change initialed
and a reason provided for the change, if the reason is not
obvious. Original data shall not be obliterated, or written
over by use of correction tape or other means.

• All instruments used to record test data or environmental

conditions must be recorded and participating laboratories
are to correlate tests and the specific instruments used
for them.

• Samples are to be clearly identified and correlated to the test

conducted and data obtained. In the case of multiple samples
of one model or type, unique identifiers must be used to
distinguish between tested samples.

3
For more information T: +1.847.664.1499 / E: [email protected] / W: ul.com/dap

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