Draft:UL Research Institutes
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UL Research Institutes is a nonprofit safety science research organization headquartered in Evanston, Illinois.[1] It is one of three organizations that make up the UL enterprise, alongside UL Standards & Engagement and UL Solutions.[2]
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 | |
 UL headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois | |
| Formerly | Underwriters Laboratories, UL LLC |
|---|---|
| Company type | Public |
| Founded | 1894 in Chicago |
| Founder | William Henry Merrill |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Key people | James J. Hudgens (President and CEO) |
ULRI conducts research on safety risks associated with materials, products, systems, and emerging technologies, and it operates independently from UL’s standards development and commercial testing and certification activities.[3]
History
Origins
Underwriters Laboratories was founded in 1894 by electrical engineer William Henry Merrill Jr., following his work inspecting electrical installations at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. [1] Merrill soon collaborated with engineer William C. Robinson on automatic fire sprinkler research. As its scope expanded beyond electrical safety to fire suppression and broader public safety concerns, the laboratory incorporated as Underwriters’ Laboratories in 1901. [1]
Early history
Through the 20th century, the organization’s research, testing, and standardization activities grew alongside emerging technologies, helping establish a foundation for modern safety science. [1]
Recent history
On Jan. 1, 2012, Underwriters Laboratories became the parent company of UL LLC, which assumed product testing and certification operations. [17] On June 26, 2022, the UL enterprise reorganized into three distinct organizations: UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement, and UL Solutions. [2]
In 2022, Underwriters Laboratories also announced a $1.8 billion commitment to expand safety science research and support nonprofit research and standards activities. [4]
In 2023, UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement moved their headquarters from Northbrook, Illinois, to downtown Evanston, Illinois. [5]
Research institutes and programs
UL Research Institutes conducts its work through several specialized research institutes and programs.
Chemical Insights Research Institute
The Chemical Insights Research Institute conducts research on chemical and environmental exposures and their potential effects on human health.[6] Its research has included studies of emissions from emerging and consumer technologies.
Independent trade coverage in Safety and Health reported that Chemical Insights research on emissions from 3D printing contributed to the development of an ANSI/CAN/UL standard for testing and assessing particle and chemical emissions from 3D printers.[7] ANSI has also documented the launch of a public research resource library maintained by the institute.[8]
Digital Safety Research Institute
The Digital Safety Research Institute conducts research related to risks associated with digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and manipulated digital media.[9] In 2025, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced a cooperative research and development agreement with the institute relating to detection and analysis of AI g enerated and manipulated media.[9]
Electrochemical Safety Research Institute
The Electrochemical Safety Research Institute conducts research related to the safety and performance of energy storage and energy generation technologies, including lithium ion batteries batteries and battery energy storage systems.[10]
In 2023, The Electrochemical Society announced a journal focus issue produced in collaboration with the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute and UL Research Institutes examining battery performance, safety, and lifespan.[11]
Fire Safety Research Institute
The Fire Safety Research Institute conducts research related to fire behavior, firefighter safety, and fire data systems. The institute is involved in work associated with the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS).[12]
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security described NERIS as a cloudbased platform developed to modernize fire and emergency incident data collection and analytics, in collaboration with the U.S. Fire Administration based platform developed to modernize fire and emergency incident data collection and analytics, in collaboration with the U.S. Fire Administration and research partners including the Fire Safety Research Institute.[12][13]
Materials Discovery Research Institute
The Materials Discovery Research Institute operates laboratory facilities in Skokie, Illinois, within the Illinois Science + Technology Park.[14] Trade publications have described the institute’s laboratory infrastructure and research facilities supporting materials research.[15]
Institute for Research Experiences & Education
The Institute for Research Experiences & Education supports education focused programming and workforce development related to safety science. Its activities include development of the Xplorlabs.org educational platform, which has been covered in professional fire service publications discussing fire safety education and recruitment.[16]
Leadership
Initiatives
One initiative associated with UL Research Institutes is the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), a nationwide platform intended to modernize fire and emergency incident data collection and analytics.[12][13]
UL Research Institutes also administers the Discoveries in Safety Grants Program, a competitive research funding initiative that provides grants to external researchers and institutions working on safety related topics. Independent reporting has described the program as part of the organization’s expanded approach to supporting safety science research following its 2022 reorganization and investment in nonprofit research activities.[3]
UL Research Institutes has additionally been involved in externally reported research collaborations related to detection and assessment of AI generated media through the Digital Safety Research Institute, as announced by DARPA.[9]
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References
1. UL Research Institutes. “Our History.” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://ul.org/about/our-history/
2. American National Standards Institute (ANSI). “UL Enterprise Rebrands its Three Organizations.” July 7, 2022.
https://www.ansi.org/standards-news/member-updates/7-7-22-ul-enterprise-rebrands-its-three-organizations
3. Philanthropy News Digest. “Underwriters Laboratories commits $1.8 billion for public safety.” February 19, 2022.
https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/underwriters-laboratories-commits-1-8-billion-for-public-safety
4. American National Standards Institute (ANSI). “UL Announces $1.8 Billion Commitment to Safety Science Research.” February 11, 2022.
https://www.ansi.org/standards-news/member-updates/2-11-22-ul-announces-commitment-to-safety-science-research
5. The Daily Northwestern. “Evanston leaders hail new safety science company UL headquarters amid downtown office struggles.” November 14, 2023.
https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/11/14/city/evanston-leaders-hail-new-safety-science-company-ul-headquarters-amid-downtown-office-struggles/
6. Chemical Processing. “UL Research Institute Studies Health Risks From Chemical Exposure.” February 25, 2022.
https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/environmental-health-safety/news/11289324/ul-research-institute-studies-health-risks-from-chemical-exposure-chemical-processing
7. Safety+Health Magazine. “Study of 3D printing emissions leads to ANSI/CAN/UL standard for testing.” June 21, 2023.
https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/study-of-3d-printing-emissions-leads-to-ansi-can-ul-standard-for-testing
8. American National Standards Institute (ANSI). “UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights Research Institute Launches Resource Library.” June 15, 2023.
https://www.ansi.org/standards-news/member-updates/6-15-23-ul-research-institutes-chemical-insights-research-institute-launches-resource-library
9. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). “Furthering deepfake defenses.” March 5, 2025.
https://www.darpa.mil/news/2025/furthering-deepfake-defenses
10. Sandia National Laboratories. “Safety Risks and Risk Mitigation – Battery Energy Storage Systems.” 2024.
https://www.sandia.gov/app/uploads/sites/273/2024/11/BESS-Safety-Risks-and-Mitigation-ESRI-JJ.pdf
11. The Electrochemical Society. “Focus Issue on Journey of Lithium Ion: Performance, Safety, and Lifespan.” March 27, 2023.
https://www.electrochem.org/ecsnews/fi-journey-of-lithium-ion
12. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate. “New Platform to Modernize National Fire Data and Intelligence.” May 8, 2025.
https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/news/2025/05/08/feature-article-new-platform-modernize-national-fire-data-and-intelligence
13. U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA). “National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS).” Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfirs/neris/
14. REBusinessOnline. “Skender Completes ULRI Materials Discovery Research Institute in Skokie, Illinois.” February 10, 2025.
https://rebusinessonline.com/skender-completes-ulri-materials-discovery-research-institute-in-skokie-illinois/
15. Lab Design News. “ULRI’s Materials Discovery Laboratory: Pioneering the Future of Materials Science.” October 15, 2024.
https://www.labdesignnews.com/content/ulris-materials-discovery-laboratory-pioneering-the-future-of-materials-science
16. Fire Engineering. “Bridging Classrooms and Firehouses: Recruiting at Middle and High Schools.” January 6, 2026.
https://www.fireengineering.com/features/bridging-classrooms-and-firehouses-recruiting-at-middle-and-high-schools/
17. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “UL LLC’s Notice of Undergoing Changes as of the End of 2011.” December 7, 2011.
https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1134/ML113460925.pdf ________________________________________
Sidebar information
UL Research Institutes
Formerly: Underwriters Laboratories (research organization)
Organization type: Nonprofit research organization
Founded: 1894 (as part of Underwriters Laboratories)
Founder: William Henry Merrill
Headquarters: Evanston, Illinois, United States
Area served: International
Key people: James J. Hudgens (President and Chief Executive Officer)
Parent organization: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (nonprofit)
Website: https://ul.org/
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