UL Acquires German IAQ Firm
The product emissions and chemical content testing firm eco-INSTITUT helps European manufacturers test construction materials, floor coverings to more than a dozen indoor air quality standards.
UL has been busy acquiring companies in the compliance training and software space, with PureSafety and then EduNeering acquired six months apart and added to UL's Knowledge Services business unit. With an acquisition announced May 15, UL says it also has bolstered its global presence in indoor air quality testing.
The acquired firm is eco-INSTITUT, based in Cologne, Germany. It performs product emissions and chemical content testing to more than a dozen nationally and internationally recognized IAQ standards for European manufacturers of products such as construction materials, floor coverings, and furniture. UL's release said eco-INSTITUT also issues its own leadership label for low chemical emissions.
According to the release, the purchase means UL is now a one-stop, full-service provider "for clients looking to test and certify to any major North American and European product emissions standard," including these:
- AgBB
- BIFMA
- Blue Angel
- CA 01350
- CRI
- EU Ecolabel "Flower"
- French emissions regulations
- GEV EMICODE®
- GREENGUARD Certification
- natureplus® quality label
- Ü mark/DiBt & CE marking
UL acquired emissions testing leader Air Quality Sciences and its certifying body, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, in February 2011.
"UL is committed to facilitating the creation of healthier indoor environments by both advancing the science of indoor air quality and widening market preference for manufacturers of healthier, low-emitting products," said Sara Greenstein, president of UL Environment. "By combining eco-INSTITUT with UL, we can provide European manufacturers with instant access to the global marketplace via local experts with regional and international market savvy."
Dr. Frank Kuebart, managing director of eco-INSTITUT, will continue its operations in Cologne and will report to Henning Bloech, UL Environment's commercial director for Europe and Asia.