By Jeff Marootian, President and Chief Executive Officer, UL Standards & Engagement
Today marks my first day as president and CEO of UL Standards & Engagement, and I couldn’t be more excited to join this organization at such a pivotal time. As I shared this new chapter with family and friends, many were surprised by just how deeply safety standards shape our daily lives. They weren’t alone. Too often, the critical role of safety science and advocacy goes unnoticed, even though it’s woven into everything we do, from the products we rely on at home to the innovations driving our future.
With 1,700 standards and documents in ULSE’s library, our impact is everywhere, even in ways that aren’t always visible. I’m eager to dive into the science that informs our standards, the expertise that shapes them, and the communities they protect. In our 130-year history, ULSE has been at the forefront of safety, and I am committed to building on that legacy to meet the evolving challenges ahead.
One thing is clear: the world is changing at a pace we’ve never seen before. Every advancement brings both progress and new risk. The growth of lithium-ion batteries, for example, powers our modern world but also introduces serious potential hazards — risks that ULSE research shows many Americans don’t fully understand. More frequent wildfires and natural disasters demand new approaches to resilience and safety. In some cases, the standards to address these threats don’t yet exist — and that’s where our work is so critical. Raising awareness, convening the right stakeholders, and driving solutions is how we make a difference.
Safety is personal. A single fire, a preventable accident, or the loss of a loved one leaves an impact that lasts for generations. Every day, ULSE’s work helps stop those tragedies before they happen. With more than 125 products in the average home certified to our standards, we’re already making a difference — but we can do more. From increasing the use of fire and carbon monoxide alarms to keeping dangerous counterfeit batteries out of our homes, to shaping safety in AI-driven technology, our work is never done.
What gives me confidence in our ability to meet this challenge? The people. ULSE is built on a foundation of unmatched expertise — from safety scientists who have dedicated their careers to protecting lives to advocates working to ensure these standards drive real change. It has a rich legacy of knowledge, dating back to 1894 when the nonprofit Underwriters Electrical Bureau — a predecessor to UL Standards & Engagement and related organizations UL Research Institutes and UL Solutions — was founded. And our financial strength ensures we can continue this mission for the next 130 years and beyond.
The rapid pace of technological innovation demands bold action, and ULSE is uniquely positioned to lead. We will continue to drive the advancement of safety standards and advocate for measures that create safer communities. I’m energized by what’s ahead and ready to get to work.