Product safety certification company UL, Northbrook, Ill., formerly known as Underwriters
Laboratories, has acquired eco-INSTITUT GmbH, Germany — a full-service product emissions and
textile chemical testing laboratory — and Magnus Textile Services Ltd., Bangladesh — a textile
testing laboratory, and quality and consulting center.
eco-INSTITUT analyzes the chemical emissions of construction materials, furniture, bedding,
floor coverings and other consumer goods; and certifies products to more than 12 nationally and
globally recognized indoor air quality standards. The company also issues its own leadership label
for low chemical emissions. The acquisition of eco-INSTITUT will enable UL to provide full services
for clients looking to test and certify to major North American and European product emissions
standards.
Magnus Textile Services conducts tests for dimensional stability, colorfastness, physical
performance, construction and composition. UL is planning to add chemical testing to the facility’s
capabilities later this year. The acquisition will enable UL to locally serve textile
manufacturers that source production from Bangladesh.
July/August 2012
