With a rapidly expanding infrastructure, and many new homes connecting to the grid, Africa is well on its way to achieving the goal of universal access to energy. The future looks bright as we continue to leverage relevant global best practices and local expertise to implement the necessary changes. The challenge is to arrive at science-backed, safe and cost-effective solutions that meet current regional needs and priorities, along with our plans for the future.
With a history of 120 years of safety science, UL Africa stands ready to support the energy and power technologies industries with services and solutions tailored for our local needs. We offer assistance in designing and deploying new power systems, and enhancing existing systems, products and components.

Africa’s energy sector is experiencing a dynamic transformation. National initiatives are focusing on moving the country away from economically and environmentally inefficient fuels and towards a more sustainable future. South Africa has become a global leader in the renewable energy space. It’s exciting to be in the forefront of a rapidly developing world industry, but assessing the safety and efficiency of innovative products and systems is a challenge.

New ways to transmit data and conduct business – on a regional and global scale - are rapidly rolling out in Africa. Trust is essential to the full adoption of transaction technologies in the mobile, finance, retail, transit and health spaces. To build confidence in digital transactions, business needs cost-effective ways of securing data at the point of capture, while it is in motion and when it is at rest. Achieving compatibility with existing infrastructures and compliance with standards and regulations adds another layer of complexity.

Initiatives are in place across Africa to improve the management and handling of chemicals that present risks to human and environmental health. Achieving compliance with the evolving national chemical safety framework and standards requires effective supply chain management and responsible sourcing practices. Third-party certification of products and processes, along with training on complying with standards and mitigating risk, are also essential components of sound chemical management processes. Manufacturers that adapt efficiently to the new regulations will be better positioned to create a sustainable path to new profits.

Public health authorities are constantly keeping up with innovation and advances in medical devices and diagnostics with the goal of protecting public health. For manufacturers wanting to sell medical devices and In Vitro Diagnostic Devices (IVDs) in South Africa, there is an established regulatory path that is evolving as well. In many cases, the documentation required to submit medical and IVD device market approvals can leverage testing and auditing reports generated by third parties utilizing internationally harmonized standards.

Bringing goods to the African market opens new potentials for profit, building brand value, and expansion. But doing business globally also adds significant complexity to business processes. Understanding how international requirements apply to your products in your target markets is not always an easy undertaking. And competition obviously increases dramatically when you broaden your business’ reach, so getting safer, quality-assured products to market fast is essential.

Working with UL means working with an expert team and a local guide, helping you to keep pace with ever-changing compliance requirements and get a real understanding of the rules and regulations of your target market.