Decoder with Nilay Patel That UL safety logo is a lot more complicated than it looks
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Apr 27, 2026 
Jennifer Scanlon, CEO of UL Solutions, leads the century-old safety certification company behind the familiar UL mark. She gets into exploding batteries, e-bike laws, and why standards still shape what reaches stores. The conversation also explores fake certifications, software and AI safety, data center risks, and whether trust can survive in a fast-moving tech market.
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Why UL Split Its Business From Its Mission
- UL split into separate entities so its testing business could compete as a for-profit while standards and research stayed nonprofit.
- UL Standards and Engagement became UL Solutions' shareholder and used IPO proceeds to fund its endowment, standards work, and research institutes.
Why UL Says Trust Matters More Than Volume
- UL's business depends on trust, so weakening tests for short-term revenue would destroy the asset it actually sells.
- Jennifer Scanlon said she will not overrule scientific findings and UL cannot advise redesigns because that would breach neutrality.
UL Tests AI Products By Auditing The Process
- UL's AI safety work targets products and development processes, not the black box inside frontier models.
- UL 3115 sets 200-plus criteria around training data, bias, transparency, privacy, and fairness for AI embedded in products like children's toys.