UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) has opened an expanded testing laboratory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It serves manufacturers, retailers, and brands in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The site tests consumer and retail products, electrical and electronic goods, food contact materials, furniture, packaging, outdoor living products, power tools, and lawn and garden equipment under one roof. The company says this should cut lead times and speed up compliance. It includes UL Solutions' first controlled indoor environment in Vietnam for outdoor products such as gazebos and canopies, simulating real-world weather. It also houses the company's first dedicated tools testing laboratory in the country. "Manufacturers and brands need trusted testing and compliance services closer to where products are developed and made," said Upayan SenGupta, a senior vice president at UL Solutions.

UL Solutions has launched a certification programme for direct-to-chip liquid cooling equipment used in AI data centres. The certification evaluates liquid cooling subassemblies for safety, performance, leak integrity and interoperability. AI chips generate intense heat that traditional air cooling may not adequately address. Direct-to-chip liquid cooling uses coolant flowing through a cold plate attached to the chip to absorb and carry away heat. The certification covers components including cold plates, manifolds and quick disconnects. UL Solutions evaluates these using UL 4501, assessing coolant compatibility, pressure integrity, durability and interoperability. Global data centre electricity use is expected to more than double between 2024 and 2030, with cooling accounting for up to 40% of energy consumption. The certification aims to help manufacturers demonstrate product readiness whilst enabling data centre operators to make informed purchasing decisions.

UL Solutions has launched a certification programme for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies, enabling electric vehicles to supply power back to the grid during high demand periods. The programme aims to build confidence in technologies that transform parked EVs into backup power resources. V2G systems allow parked vehicles to send electricity to the grid when demand is high and recharge during lower-demand periods. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, approximately 90% of electric vehicles remain parked at any given time under typical driving patterns. A recent E3 study commissioned by General Motors estimates V2G could potentially deliver 5 to 15 times more per-vehicle value than one-way managed charging in many markets. The certification programme helps manufacturers demonstrate safety and reliability whilst supporting grid stability.