Standards Comparison

    UL Certification

    Voluntary
    1894

    Third-party safety certification for products via testing, audits

    VS

    23 NYCRR 500

    Mandatory
    2017

    NY regulation for financial services cybersecurity compliance.

    Quick Verdict

    UL Certification ensures product safety via testing and marks for global manufacturers, while 23 NYCRR 500 mandates cybersecurity governance for NY financial entities. Companies pursue UL for market access and trust; NYCRR for regulatory compliance.

    Product Safety

    UL Certification

    Underwriters Laboratories Product Certification System

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Ongoing factory follow-up inspections ensure sustained compliance
    • Distinct UL Marks for Listed products, Recognized components
    • OSHA-recognized NRTL testing to consensus safety standards
    • Lifecycle certification covering design, testing, manufacturing control
    • Enhanced Smart Marks with QR codes, attribute bundling
    Financial Services

    23 NYCRR 500

    23 NYCRR Part 500

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Annual CEO/CISO dual compliance certification
    • 72-hour cybersecurity incident notification
    • Phishing-resistant MFA for high-risk access
    • Rigorous TPSP risk assessment and contracts
    • Annual penetration testing and vulnerability management

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    UL Certification Details

    What It Is

    UL Certification is the Underwriters Laboratories conformity assessment system for product safety. As an OSHA-recognized NRTL, it verifies products meet UL consensus standards through testing and evaluation. Primary purpose: reduce hazards like fire, shock via risk-based construction, performance, marking requirements. Scope spans industries like electronics, energy, building.

    Key Components

    • **UL MarksListed (end-use products), Recognized (components), Classified (limited scope), Verified (claims).
    • Core elements: lab testing (safety, EMC, environmental), factory inspections, follow-up surveillance.
    • Built on 1500+ standards; certification model includes initial evaluation, authorization, ongoing audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Drives market access via retailer/inspector acceptance; reduces liability, insurance costs. Strategic for trust signaling, ESG alignment. Not legally mandated but de facto required for high-risk electrical products.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, design compliance, prototype testing, factory readiness, certification, surveillance. Applies to manufacturers globally; requires documentation, samples, audits. Typical for mid-large firms in safety-sensitive sectors.

    23 NYCRR 500 Details

    What It Is

    23 NYCRR Part 500 is the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) Cybersecurity Regulation, a state-level mandate for financial services entities. It establishes minimum, risk-based cybersecurity requirements to protect nonpublic information (NPI) and information systems' confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The approach emphasizes governance, evidence-based outcomes, and prescriptive controls like MFA and incident reporting.

    Key Components

    • 14 core requirements including cybersecurity program, CISO appointment, risk assessments, MFA, encryption, TPSP oversight, penetration testing, and 72-hour incident notification.
    • Built on risk assessment foundation; annual CEO/CISO certification with five-year record retention.
    • Enhanced for Class A Companies (>$20M NY revenue + >2,000 employees or >$1B global revenue) with audits and EDR.
    • Compliance model: self-attestation, DFS examinations, enforcement via consent orders.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory for NY-licensed financial entities (banks, insurers, etc.) to avoid multimillion-dollar fines.
    • Reduces cyber incident risk, strengthens vendor management, builds stakeholder trust.
    • Provides competitive edge through robust resilience and insurance benefits.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased roadmap: gap analysis, risk assessment, control deployment (MFA, asset inventory), testing.
    • Applies to Covered Entities in NY financial services; exemptions for small firms.
    • No external certification but requires evidence for annual April 15 filing and audits.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    UL Certification
    Product safety, performance, certification marks
    23 NYCRR 500
    Financial sector cybersecurity program, governance

    Industry

    UL Certification
    All industries, global product manufacturers
    23 NYCRR 500
    NY financial services licensees only

    Nature

    UL Certification
    Voluntary third-party certification
    23 NYCRR 500
    Mandatory state regulation with enforcement

    Testing

    UL Certification
    Lab testing, factory inspections, follow-ups
    23 NYCRR 500
    Annual pen tests, vulnerability scans, risk assessments

    Penalties

    UL Certification
    Loss of certification, mark withdrawal
    23 NYCRR 500
    Fines, consent orders, license actions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about UL Certification and 23 NYCRR 500

    UL Certification FAQ

    23 NYCRR 500 FAQ

    You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

    Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

    Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform

    Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.

    100+ Standards & Regulations
    AI-Powered Insights
    Collaborative Assessments
    Actionable Recommendations

    Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages