Are Standards a Catalyst for Consumer Trust and Innovation in Smart Home Tech?

By Sayon Deb, Director of Primary Insights 

When today's consumers shop for smart home devices – from lightbulbs to refrigerators – they encounter an expanding universe of options. Yet with these innovations come natural questions about trust: Will these devices be safe? Is my data secure? Will the devices perform reliably?  

These concerns are changing how consumers evaluate smart home products. Unlike traditional devices that earned consumer confidence through decades of use, connected devices must establish trust across multiple dimensions simultaneously: physical safety, cybersecurity and privacy, and long-term reliability. 

As a nonprofit safety advocacy organization, UL Standards & Engagement is exploring a compelling dynamic in the smart home market: How do safety standards influence both consumer trust and business innovation? Our newly completed research examines two key questions: are certification marks that indicate compliance to standards becoming as powerful as brand names in driving purchase decisions? And how do standards accelerate rather than constrain innovation? 

Early insights suggest that when it comes to emerging technologies, the impact of safety standards extends far beyond basic protection; they may be fundamental to innovation and market success.  

Stay Tuned 

We’ll unveil our complete findings at CES 2025 where I will moderate a panel bringing together leaders in technology, safety science, and standards, including Rebecca Zavin, chief technology officer at SimpliSafe, and Chris LaPré, head of technology at Connectivity Standards Alliance to explore the symbiotic relationship between standards and innovation in smart home tech, connected devices, and AI-driven products.  

PANEL DETAILS: 

Monday, January 6 from 11:00-11:40 a.m. PT 

LVCC, West Hall, W232 

Panelists:  

• Rebecca Zavin, chief technology officer, SimpliSafe  
• Chris LaPré, head of technology, Connectivity Standards Alliance  
• Kerri Haresign, senior director, technology & standards, CTA  
• Lesley Rohrbaugh, head of insights and policy analysis, ULSE