Distinguishing between UL Label Safety Certification Categories (US Standard)

In UL (U.S. Regulations) safety certification for marking labels, the two most common product categories (CCNs) are “PGDQ2” and “PGJI2”.
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PGDQ2

UL Product Name: Marking and Labeling Systems

Label printing companies purchase UL-approved labeling materials, print them with specified inks, and add a protective film to create finished printed adhesive-attached labels for manufacturers.
Users must request the printing company to print the UL-mandated warnings.

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PGJI2

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UL Product Name: Marking and Labeling Systems - Printing Materials

Label printing companies purchase UL-approved labeling materials and provide unprinted or partially printed labels for manufacturers.
Users must use specified printers and inks to print their labels.

• Regardless of whether UL's PGDQ2 or PGJI2 labeling is used, the selected label must be suitable for its adhesive surface, maximum surface temperature, and surrounding environment.
• The UL audit specifications for PGDQ2 are: UL 969, Marking and Labeling Systems.
• The UL audit specifications for PGJI2 are: UL 969, Marking and Labeling Systems.

 

Categories of Marking and Labelling in UL 969 Standard

Labels and markings in the UL 969 standard are divided into more than one category. Sometimes the specification references these CCNs.
The most common of these subcategories are:

• PGD​​Q2 – Marking and Labelling System of the United States
• PGD​​Q8 – Marking and Labelling System of Canada PGJI2 – Printed Materials of the United States
• PGJI8 – Printed Materials of Canada

The only difference between PGD​​Q and PGJI is that PGJI CCN-compliant labels are also approved for secondary printing, hence the name "printed materials."

The UL 969 standard categorizes marking and labeling as follows:

• Marking and Labeling Systems – CCN (UL Compliant Certification): PGD​​Q2 is the ultimate UL certification for labels, requiring manufacturers to certify the adhesive, substrate, printing, system, and lamination as a complete system. This standard typically applies to warning, hazard, and caution labels that must remain legible throughout the product's lifecycle.
• Marking and Labeling Systems, Printing Materials – CCN (UL Compliant Certification): PGJI2 is the UL certification level for blank labels printed on thermal printers. Typically, these labels are printed in-house by the OEM during the production process. At this certification level, the label material and thermal strip must be tested for compatibility as a complete system.
• In-Mold Marking and Labeling Systems – CCN (UL Compliant Certification): PGIM2 is a UL certification covering finished printed labels affixed to the surface of plastics during the molding process. In-mold labels are suitable for molding processes, general plastic surfaces, and environmental conditions, and are designed to provide warnings, instructions, or other messages that must be permanently marked on the product.
• Marking and Labelling Systems, Materials – CCN (UL-compliant): PGGU2 is a certification that only requires UL certification of the materials. Label suppliers are not required to conduct any additional testing on their labels. Typically, labels with PGGU2 certification are informational in nature and are not warning, cautionary, or hazard labels.
• Marking and Labelling Systems, Restricted Use – CCN (UL-compliant): PGIS2 covers lanyard and banner marking and labeling systems that have been evaluated to meet specific UL end-product standards when performance requirements are less stringent or differ from those in UL 969. Labels falling under the PGIS2 category are typically found on products such as electrical equipment housings, power cords, and door operators.