Effective April 1, 2016

Standard Information
Standard Number:
UL 588
Standard Name:
Seasonal & Holiday Decorative Products
Standard Edition and Issue Date:
18th Edition Dated August 21, 2000
Date of Revision:
November 4, 2013
Date of Previous Revisions to Standard:
18th Edition Dated January 22, 2013
 
Effective Date of New/Revised Requirements

Effective Date (See Schedule below): April 1, 2016

 
Impact, Overview, Fees and Action Required

Impact Statement: A review of all Listing Reports is necessary to determine which products comply with new/revised requirements and which products will require re-evaluation. NOTE: Effective immediately, this revised standard will be exclusively used for evaluation of new products unless the Applicant requests in writing that current requirements be used along with their understanding that their listings will be withdrawn on Effective Date noted above, unless the product is found to comply with new/revised requirements.

Overview of Changes: UL 588 was revised to include a revision to requirements for lighting strings with nonstandard multi-pin connectors. Specific details of new/revised requirements are found in the table below.

Schedule: So that shipping of products with Listing Marks will not be interrupted, an approximate schedule has been established to ensure Listing Reports are found compliant by Effective Date:

  • July 31, 2015 = 8 Month Report Review – Intertek will review all Reports. Update if compliance is verified or issue Findings Letter/Quote for any re-evaluations needed
  • September 30, 2015 = 6 Month Quote Cut-off – Quotes returned for necessary re-evaluations
  • March 1, 2016 = 30 Day Warning – Client advised of all non-compliant Reports to be Suspended
  • April 1, 2016 = Effective Date – ATM Suspended for all non-compliant Reports

Fees: An initial review of Listing Report (s) will be covered by a direct billing project and will be invoiced at not more than $1000 per report.

Client Action Required:

Information – To assist our Engineer with review of your Listing Reports, please submit technical information in response to the new/revised paragraphs noted in the attached or explain why these new/revised requirements do not apply to your product (s).

Current Listings Not Active? – Please immediately identify any current Listing Reports or products that are no longer active and should be removed from our records. We will do this at no charge as long as Intertek is notified in writing prior to the review of your reports.

 
Description of New/Revised Technical Requirements
ClauseVerdictCommentNC#
117InfoCord Tag Markings 
117.4InfoProducts employing load fittings 
117.4.2.1 

Additions to existing requirements are underlined;

A series- or series-parallel-connected decorative-lighting string or a decorative outfit consisting of a series-connected string with decorative covers, which employs a nonstandard multi-pin connector, shall be marked within 3 inches (76.2 mm) of the face of the load fitting with the word “CAUTION” and the following:

a) “This lighting string is rated ___ Watts (___ Amps), do not overload. Connect end-to-end only lighting strings or decorative outfits of the same model number from the same manufacturer for a maximum total of ___ 216 Watts (1.8___ Amps).” For the second set of blanks the maximum total shall not exceed 216 Watts (1.8 Amps).

b) “Do not replace or modify any connectors on this product, discard product if connector is damaged.”

c) "Make sure connectors are fully inserted and any connector rings are twisted until completely secured such that the ring can no longer be turned and the two portions of the connector are completely assembled."
 

CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: This Table and column "Verdict" can be used in determining how your current or future production is or will be in compliance with new/revised requirements.

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