PGGU, PGGI, PGDQ, and PGAA in UL969 Certification for Self-Adhesive Label Materials
UL969, officially known as Marking and Labeling Systems, primarily validates label durability, adhesion, readability, weather/chemical resistance, ensuring information remains clear and effective over the long term. UL969 is a core standard for permanent product labels/nameplates published by UL (USA) and recognized by ANSI. It is also a mandatory compliance requirement for electrical/electronic/home appliances exported to North America.

Common UL certifications involving self-adhesive label materials include three categories:

•  UL969: Performance standard for label marking and labeling
•  UL817: General safety requirements for cord sets and power supply cords
•  UL859: Standard for household personal grooming appliances
The UL969 certification includes three types of labels: PGGU, PGGI, and PGDQ.
•  PGGU represents blank label certification, typically applied for by label manufacturers. It primarily involves testing and certifying the performance capabilities and applicability of label materials and adhesives on different substrates under various environmental conditions.
•  PGGI represents thermal transfer label certification. Compared to PGGU, it includes additional certification for thermal transfer ribbons.
•  PGDQ is certification for finished labels, meaning labels that have undergone printing, over-lamination, and other processes to become finished products. These finished labels are tested on different substrates under various environmental conditions to verify their applicability. This is generally applied for by printing manufacturers.

What Do the Numbers After PGGU, PGGI, and PGDQ Mean?
When searching UL969 certifications, you may notice numbers such as 2 or 8 following PGGU, PGGI, or PGDQ. Here's what they mean:
•  Number 2: According to ANSI/UL969 Marking and Labeling Systems standard, this applies to labels for electrical/electronic/home appliances exported to the United States.
•  Number 8: According to Canadian CUL/CSA certification standards for self-adhesive labels, this applies to similar product labels exported to Canada.

What is PGAA Certification?
During UL audits, suppliers are often asked whether they have PGAA certification. What does PGAA mean?
PGAA is the certification for the Authorized Label Supplier Program. If a supplier wants to print the UL Listing Mark on labels provided to end-product manufacturers, the label supplier must apply for PGAA certification. Otherwise, they do not have authority to print the UL mark.
1.  PGAA is UL's audit standard for determining whether a label supplier has the capability to print UL-certified labels, and it serves as the authorization mark allowing label suppliers to print labels bearing the UL logo. When a label supplier applies for certification, UL conducts on-site factory audits according to the Authorized Label Suppliers Program (ALSP) standards, examining production equipment, environment, technical capabilities, materials, etc. Suppliers who pass the audit are authorized by UL to print labels with the UL logo.
2.  UL-certified labels with marks are published online with registration and certification numbers at UL Solutions http://www.ul.com. PGAA supplier names and related information (address, phone number, fax, website, email, etc.) are published on the UL website. Label users can find UL-authorized suppliers by entering "PGAA" on the UL website.
3.  Which labels require PGAA certification? All labels bearing the UL Mark require PGAA. For example, UL Marks related to electrical and electronic product safety can be categorized into three types: Recognized, Listed, and Classified. When any of these UL Marks appear on product labels, the label supplier must have PGAA certification.
4.  From the perspective of label usage or application location, labels bearing the UL Mark that require PGAA include: panel labels applied directly to products, packaging bags/boxes (hang tags, plastic bags, color boxes, cartons), etc.
•  If a product's UL Listing/Classification Mark (complete four elements, generally including the UL logo, "LISTED" text, Control Number, and Product ID) does not appear on the product itself but is printed on its packaging bags/boxes (such as hang tags, plastic bags, color boxes, cartons), then the supplier of such packaging materials must also apply for PGAA registration.
•  If the product's UL Listing/Classification Mark (complete four elements) already appears on the product, and the UL Mark on packaging bags/boxes (hang tags, plastic bags, color boxes, cartons) is printed only for promotional purposes, then the supplier of such packaging materials does not need PGAA.
•  Additionally, instruction manuals and catalogs do not require PGAA.
PGAA certification simply indicates that the label supplier has the capability to print UL labels and has obtained UL authorization to print the UL logo.