UL Solutions has opened its first electric motor energy-efficiency testing laboratory in Japan, aiming to provide stronger support for manufacturers of motor-driven systems such as pumps, fans, and industrial automation equipment. Located at the company’s Ise campus in Mie Prefecture, the accredited facility offers local testing services to help Japanese manufacturers comply with both domestic and international efficiency regulations while avoiding the time and cost of sending motors overseas for evaluation.
The new lab joins UL Solutions’ global network of motor-testing centers in the US, China, and Taiwan, and will provide Japanese-language technical support, handle complex testing setups, and allow customer-witnessed assessments to speed up certification processes for OEMs in sectors including HVAC, robotics, and motor-operated appliances.
Regional vice president Hidehiko Yamajo described the facility as a major milestone for both UL Solutions and Japan’s electric motor manufacturing industry, highlighting that local accredited testing will help companies meet regulatory requirements more efficiently while supporting broader efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
Electric motors represent around half of industrial power consumption, making efficiency gains increasingly important for applications such as pumps and drives. Recent regulations, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2022 Final Rule, have widened test requirements to cover more motor types, including servo and inverter-duty models. UL Solutions is ISO/IEC 17065 accredited, and the Ise laboratory is Japan’s first independent DOE-accredited motor-testing facility.
