You said 'all fuses have UL certification', which is not entirely accurate, but it does reflect the extremely important position and high popularity of UL certification in the fuse field. The reasons are as follows:
The core of UL certification is safety:
Fuses are safety components. Their only function is to safely fuse and cut off current in the event of overcurrent (overload or short circuit) in the circuit, preventing fire, equipment damage, or personal injury.
UL(Underwriters Laboratories) It is one of the most famous and authoritative security certification agencies in the world, especially in North America. Its core mission is to evaluate the safety of products.
In order to prove that fuses can reliably melt under specified conditions and that the melting process itself (such as arcing, splashing) will not cause fire or other hazards, strict safety testing standards must be passed. UL standards (such as UL 248 series) are safety specifications specifically designed for fuses.
Mandatory requirements for the North American market:
In the US and Canadian markets, laws and regulations typically require electrical products to be certified by nationally recognized testing laboratories in order to be legally sold and used. UL is one of the most important institutions in NRTL.
Therefore, almost any fuse that wants to be sold in North America (whether sold as a standalone component or installed in the final product) must obtain UL certification (or other NRTL certifications of the same level, such as CSA, Intertek ETL, etc.). Without certification, the product cannot enter the market.
Global influence and market recognition:
UL certification enjoys a high reputation worldwide due to its long history and strict standards.
Even if the product is sold to regions that do not require UL certification (such as Europe and Asia), manufacturers often actively apply for UL certification because:
Enhancing product reputation and competitiveness: The UL mark is a symbol of safety and reliability, making it easier to gain the trust of customers, designers, and buyers.
Meeting international customer requirements: Many international equipment manufacturers require their supply chain components (including fuses) to comply with internationally renowned standards such as UL.
Simplify final product certification: If the final product (such as household appliances, IT equipment) needs to be sold to North America or undergo other international certifications (such as CB Scheme), using UL certified fuses can greatly simplify the certification process for the entire machine.
Consideration of safety responsibility:
For equipment manufacturers, the risk of using unverified fuses is extremely high. Once a safety accident occurs due to fuse failure, manufacturers will face significant legal liability, compensation, and reputation damage. Using fuses certified by authoritative organizations such as UL is an important means of avoiding this risk.
Why is it inaccurate to say 'all'?
Other certification standards: In other regions of the world, there are corresponding mandatory or mainstream certification standards:
Europe: CE marking (including compliance with the Low Voltage Directive and related coordinated standards such as the IEC 60127 series), VDE certification (Germany), SEMKO (Sweden), etc.
China: CCC certification is mandatory.
International: IEC standards themselves are not certifications, but many countries' certifications (including UL, CE, CCC) are based on or reference IEC standards (such as IEC 60127).
Specific applications/markets: In certain specific markets or application areas outside of North America (such as niche markets within some industrial equipment or non mandatory certification areas), there may be fuses that only comply with local standards or do not have obvious well-known certifications. But these are usually not products sold through mainstream channels.
Summary:
Not all fuses have UL certification, but almost all fuses sold in the North American market must have (or equivalent NRTL certification).
UL certification is a key proof of fuse safety and a passport to enter the North American market.
Global manufacturers generally pursue UL certification due to its high market recognition, improved product reputation, meeting international customer needs, and avoiding safety liability risks.
In other markets, there are corresponding mainstream certifications (such as CE, CCC), but UL is often used as an important safety qualification reference in these markets due to its global influence.
So, a more accurate statement is that UL certification is almost essential for fuses sold in North America or seeking global recognition. The large number of insurance ribbons you see in the market with the UL logo is a reflection of this necessity and universality. When purchasing fuses, it is important to confirm that they have the certifications required by the target market for sales (such as UL/CSA/ETL for North America, CE for Europe, CCC for China).