Battery Separator Requirements promote safety, integrity.

Press Release Summary:



Evaluation to Subject 2591 will assist separator manufacturers, as well as manufacturers of lithium batteries who use separators, to control critical separator parameters in order to reduce potential for product failure and enhance consumer confidence in their products. UL offers testing and certification services pursuant to new requirements. It also provides manufacturers with technical information and guidance needed to maintain compliance.



Original Press Release:



Underwriters Laboratories Introduces Safety Requirements for Battery Separators, Aiming to Further Battery Safety and Integrity



NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a world leader in safety testing and certification, today announced the establishment of revised requirements addressing the safety of lithium batteries. The requirements, issued in December 2009 as UL Subject 2591, are designed specifically for separators, the porous film that keeps the anode and cathode components of batteries apart while still allowing ions to flow between them.

Evaluation to Subject 2591 will assist separator manufacturers, and manufacturers of lithium batteries who use separators, to control critical separator parameters in order to reduce the potential for product failure and enhance consumer confidence in their products.

"The importance of battery integrity and safety has grown as the capabilities and demands we place upon our portable electronic devices increase," said Carlos Correia, Vice President, UL High-Tech Division. "UL has worked closely with members of the battery and IT industry to introduce separator requirements focused on reliability and, first and foremost, safety."

UL now offers testing and certification services pursuant to the new requirements. UL also provides manufacturers with the technical information and guidance they need to maintain compliance with the requirements.

"UL is pleased to have played a pivotal role in establishing this important safety benchmark for lithium batteries," said Correia. "Our track record of expertise in electronics, and our global leadership in testing and certification services give manufacturers and their customers peace of mind that their products carrying the UL Mark meet established standards for safety and performance."

To learn more about UL battery separator testing and certification services, visit www.ul.com.

Underwriters Laboratories

UL is an independent product safety certification organization that has been testing products and writing Standards for Safety for more than a century. UL evaluates more than 19,000 types of products, components, materials and systems from more than 66,000 manufacturers each year. In total, there are more than 20 billion UL Marks appearing on products worldwide. UL's global family of companies and network of service providers includes 68 laboratory, testing and certification facilities serving customers in 102 countries. For more information, visit: www.ul.com/newsroom.

CONTACT: Millicent Mak, Manager, Global High-Tech Industry Marketing of Underwriters Laboratories, 852 2276 9539, Millicent.mak@hk.ul.com; or Lisa Christie of GolinHarris, +1-312-729-4371, lchristie@golinharris.com, for Underwriters Laboratories

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