DUBAI, UAE, December 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Over 50 Experts Discuss and Debate Implementation of Safety Initiatives 

UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a world leader in advancing safety, announced today the formation of The UL Middle East Safety Forum (MESF), a unique platform for regulators, manufacturers, academia and consumers to identify, discuss and implement initiatives to encourage safer living standards.

The first of its kind for UL outside North America, the MESF extends UL's commitment to safer environments in the Middle East. The MESF is a neutral body with a singular focus on safety. Henceforth it will meet once a year on topics that concern and impact safer living and working environments in the region.

Over 50 delegates from different stakeholder communities and subject matter experts, including the Regulators, senior business leaders from across industries and regions in the Middle East, participated in the first forum meeting on December 4th, 2012.

The MESF encouraged participation from experts pre-eminent in their field who exemplify the highest levels of professional competence and ethical standards. MESF delegates act as the voice of public safety and endeavour to facilitate positive change.

Topics of discussion at the first forum of the MESF included the establishment of product safety requirements, components and systems, interpretation of product safety standards, suitability of test methods, standards development, regulatory needs, regulatory acceptance and similar issues.

Forum members and participants are also invited to assist in the interpretation of requirements, particularly as they may apply to new developments.

Special emphasis for fire safety will be on the development and implementation of standards that consider aspects like safety in high-rise buildings, safety requirements of critical installations including public places, usage of local building materials, etc. However, as the MESF grows, UL is planning to expand the focus to areas such as electrical safety, environmental safety and food and life safety.

About UL:

UL is a premier global independent safety science company with more than 118 years of history. Employing more than 10,000 professionals with customers in over 100 countries, UL has five distinct business units -- Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Knowledge Services, and Verification Services - to meet the expanding needs of our customers and to deliver on our public safety mission.  For more information on UL's family of companies and network of 95 laboratory, testing, and certification facilities, go to http://www.UL.com.

C. Lavanya, Marketing Communications Specialist, Phone: +91(0)7760976340, Email: Lavanya.C@ul.com

SOURCE UL (Underwriters Laboratories)