The ZigBee Alliance announced UL is an independent authorized test service provider accredited to support ZigBee Alliance product certification programs. UL will offer ZigBee testing at two of its labs: Fremont, Calif., and Basingstoke, UK.
To date, authorized test service providers for the ZigBee Alliance have provided testing services leading to over 1600 certified products, with 75 percent of those earning certification in the past three years. In 2016, over 200 products have achieved certified product status.
“As ZigBee Alliance membership continues to grow, and member companies capitalize on the possibilities around the Internet of Things, we will continue to use testing organizations to provide our members with access to testing services that validate what they implement on a ZigBee-based platform translates into a valuable product experience for the end user,” says Victor Berrios, vice president of technology, ZigBee Alliance.
“We are at a tipping point in the industry where the Internet of Things moves from an idea to real world application for consumers,” says Ghislain Devouge, vice president, UL consumer technology division. “Our experts have been validating numerous technologies in support of the IoT, and we’re excited to bring the ZigBee Alliance programs into our testing and certification process as its members innovate to connect us all in new ways.”
The ZigBee Certified program verifies that platforms and products meet Alliance requirements and performs as expected – helping to ensure interoperable products are available to manufacturers and end users. This supports the next step in the market: enabling consumers to buy with confidence. The certification program is a benefit of ZigBee Alliance membership, and contributes to the Alliance’s market position for wireless development.
Tobin Richardson, ZigBee Alliance president and CEO states, “Partnering with UL to accommodate the current demand for ZigBee-based wireless product certification is a logical step as the industry progresses. We expect the surge in IoT design, development and testing will continue as our members collaborate and work toward required interoperability and solutions involving connected devices.”
In addition to UL, ZigBee Alliance authorized test service providers are:
- Chinese Electronics Standardization Institute (CESI)
- Element Materials Technology
- National Technical Systems Inc. (NTS)
- TÜV Rheinland Group