LG Electronics Becomes First Electronics Manufacturer to Get Thumbs Up From UL Environment.

LG Electronics USA, Inc. and UL Environment, Inc. recently announced that LG Electronics is the first consumer electronics and appliance manufacturer to have products assessed via the UL Environmental Claims ValidationTM program.

This groundbreaking new program is designed to provide companies with a new source for independent, third-party green claims validation. Underwriters Laboratories, a world leader in product safety testing services, launched UL Environment, a wholly-owned subsidiary aimed at providing guidance and clarity of environmental claims to both the consumer and manufacturer.

UL Environment has validated claims for LG’s award-winning SteamWasherTM WM3001HWA and popular 47LH90 LCD TV by performing a variety of laboratory tests. UL Environment purchased LG products from U.S. retailers prior to testing. The SteamWasher was evaluated based on energy and water savings, while the LCD TV was tested for overall energy consumption – both in on mode power and standby modes.

Testing results found that the LG SteamWasher uses a minimum of 50 percent less water and energy than Energy Star® requirements effective July 1, 2009 and exceeds 2011 requirements for energy consumption by at least 35 percent and water consumption by at least 40 percent. The LG LCD TV uses a minimum of 70 percent less energy than required by Energy Star 3.0 requirements in standby mode, while using a minimum of 40 percent less energy in the on-mode than Energy Star 3.0 requirements.“Using this comprehensive UL Environment third-party testing program to validate environmental claims such as energy and water efficiency will instill further confidence in our products’ performance and will help maintain consumers’ confidence in voluntary programs such as Energy Star,” said Teddy Hwang, President of LG Electronics USA.

LG intends to expand its participation in the UL Environment program to cover other product lines, from refrigerator-freezers and dish washers to plasma HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc players.

Steve Wenc, President of UL Environment added, “By applying solid science and more than a century of testing expertise, UL Environment’s validation program brings a new level of confidence to consumers to make informed purchase decisions when shopping for energy efficient products. We commend LG’s leading role as the first appliance and consumer electronics manufacturer to participate in this consumer program.”

UL Environment applies a rigorous, independent testing process to the testing of environmental claims and allows manufacturers that successfully pass the tests to apply the UL Environment service logo on product packaging and marketing materials. This not only protects consumers, institutions and businesses, it also reinforces the credibility of companies that produce products with substantiated environmental claims. Validation also helps companies differentiate themselves in the increasingly crowded “green” product space.

“LG’s focus on environmental issues has resulted in a global environmental vision,” Hwang said, “Across our broad product portfolio, we have incorporated eco-design strategies to reduce the environmental impact of a product’s development, production, and circulation, along with reduced use of hazardous materials and enhanced efficiency of resources and recyclability.”