Lighting is wired into your home, so safety certification matters. If you are shopping in the US or Canada, two letters come up again and again: UL and CSA. Here is what they mean.
What is UL listing?
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is an independent safety-certification body. A UL-listed light fixture has been tested against recognised safety standards for things like electrical and fire safety. Many local electrical codes and inspectors in the United States expect hardwired fixtures to be listed.
What is CSA approval?
CSA (the Canadian Standards Association) plays the same role in Canada. A CSA-approved fixture meets Canadian safety requirements, which matters for code compliance and for many installers north of the border.
Can a wooden light be certified?
Yes. The certification covers the electrical components and construction, not whether the body is wood or metal. We are proud that selected SOKO sconces are among the first wooden wall sconces to be both UL listed and CSA approved — combining a natural wood body with components that meet rigorous North American standards.
Do you need a certified sconce?
If you are hardwiring a fixture in the US or Canada — especially in a new build or a project that will be inspected — a certified light makes compliance straightforward. For a plug-in or cordless sconce the requirement is usually less strict, but certification is still a useful mark of quality.
You can browse the certified range in our UL & CSA collection, or see every design in the full catalogue. Each product page lists its certification under the key details.