{"id":21152,"date":"2026-02-23T08:52:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T14:52:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/?p=21152"},"modified":"2026-02-26T15:16:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T21:16:37","slug":"pe-why-weather-services-are-essential-in-todays-testing-and-certification-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/21152\/pe-why-weather-services-are-essential-in-todays-testing-and-certification-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Weather Services Are Essential in Today\u2019s Testing and Certification Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In a world where products are expected to perform reliably across diverse climates and increasingly extreme weather conditions, the role of weather services in testing and certification has never been more critical. Modern industries\u00a0\u2014\u00a0from automotive and aerospace to plastics, textiles, and coatings\u00a0\u2014\u00a0depend on sophisticated weathering assessments to\u00a0verify\u00a0durability,\u00a0safety\u00a0and long-term performance. These assessments simulate the environmental stresses that materials\u00a0encounter\u00a0throughout their lifecycle,\u00a0confirming that products meet strict global standards and customer expectations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Understanding\u00a0weathering in\u00a0product\u00a0testing<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-21155\" src=\"http:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/weathering-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/weathering-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/weathering-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/weathering.jpg 884w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Weathering refers to the targeted exposure of materials or products to environmental conditions\u00a0to\u00a0evaluate performance over time. In practice, this means replicating the effects of sunlight, humidity, heat, cold, and temperature fluctuations to\u00a0determine\u00a0how these variables influence a product\u2019s degradation.<\/p>\n<p>The goal is simple but essential:<br \/>\nPredict service life as accurately as possible for products that will be exposed to real-world weather.<\/p>\n<p>A key metric in these evaluations is weather resistance\u00a0\u2014\u00a0the degree to which material properties\u00a0remain\u00a0stable over time. This differs from lightfastness, which only measures the impact of radiation. Weather resistance goes further, incorporating humidity, temperature\u00a0cycles\u00a0and other environmental stresses. As climate conditions grow increasingly unpredictable, understanding this full spectrum of influences has become indispensable.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Natural vs.\u00a0artificial\u00a0weathering<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Weathering tests fall into two major categories:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Natural (outdoor)\u00a0weathering<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Materials are placed outdoors in specific climates and\u00a0monitored\u00a0for degradation.<br \/>\nNatural weathering can be:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Real-time, reflecting actual exposure durations.<\/li>\n<li>Accelerated, in which more intense conditions or optimized placements speed up the aging process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>Artificial (laboratory)\u00a0weathering<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Here, exposure is controlled and intensified using specialized equipment. Artificial testing is always accelerated, enabling manufacturers to predict long-term performance within weeks or months rather than years.<\/p>\n<p>State-of-the-art\u00a0laboratory weathering instruments\u00a0\u2014\u00a0such as the Atlas Weather-Ometer\u00a0Ci4000\u00a0&amp; Ci5000,\u00a0Xenotest\u00a0Alpha HE, Beta+, 440, and\u00a0Suntest\u00a0XXL+\u00a0\u2014\u00a0simulate sunlight,\u00a0moisture\u00a0and temperature cycles with high precision. These tools allow laboratories to replicate both global climate patterns and specific environmental stressors,\u00a0enabling\u00a0highly repeatable results.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why Weather Services Are Essential Across Industries<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Weathering tests have become fundamental in multiple sectors:<\/p>\n<p><em>Automotive and\u00a0aviation\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-21154\" src=\"http:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/automotive-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/automotive-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/automotive-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/automotive.jpg 903w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Exterior components, structural plastics, coatings, composites, and interior trims must withstand UV radiation, humidity, temperature fluctuations, and corrosive conditions. Weather services\u00a0support long-term safety and appearance\u00a0\u2014\u00a0critical for consumer trust and regulatory approval.<\/p>\n<p><em>Paints,\u00a0coatings\u00a0and\u00a0printing\u00a0inks\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Color\u00a0stability, gloss retention, and resistance to chalking or fading are all tested under simulated weather. High\u2011quality printing inks and industrial coatings must\u00a0maintain\u00a0their performance even in harsh climates.<\/p>\n<p><em>Plastics and\u00a0composites\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Mechanical strength, elasticity, and surface integrity degrade under environmental stress. Weathering tests\u00a0to\u00a0evaluate\u00a0materials used in construction, packaging, consumer products, and electronics\u00a0so you\u00a0can\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0that they\u00a0remain\u00a0reliable throughout their lifespan.<\/p>\n<p><em>Textiles\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Outdoor fabrics, sportswear, and technical textiles must endure UV exposure, moisture, and temperature changes without losing\u00a0color\u00a0or structural integrity.<\/p>\n<p>Across all these sectors, weather services help manufacturers minimize material failures, reduce warranty claims,\u00a0comply with\u00a0international regulations, and\u00a0maintain\u00a0strong brand reputations.<\/p>\n<p>Standards\u00a0that\u00a0guide\u00a0weathering\u00a0testing<\/p>\n<p>To deliver consistent, reliable results, weathering tests adhere to globally recognized standards. While there are many, widely used examples include:<\/p>\n<p>ISO 4892-2, ISO 16474<\/p>\n<p>ISO 105 series (B02, B04, B06)<\/p>\n<p>PV1303, PV1306, PV3929, PV3930<\/p>\n<p>VDA 75202<\/p>\n<p>SAE J2412, SAE J2527<\/p>\n<p>Ford FLTM BO 116-01<\/p>\n<p>FIAT 50451\/01 A-2<\/p>\n<p>ASTM G155<\/p>\n<p>BMW AA-0235, BMW AA-0236<\/p>\n<p>These standards promote compatibility across industries and help manufacturers demonstrate that products meet performance expectations in global markets.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How\u00a0UL Solutions can\u00a0support\u00a0the\u00a0industry<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We\u00a0provide an extensive portfolio of laboratory weathering tests tailored to the needs of modern manufacturers. With advanced equipment and expert support,\u00a0we\u00a0help clients evaluate durability,\u00a0verify\u00a0compliance with international standards, and achieve reliable product certification.<\/p>\n<p>Whether a company is testing coatings for\u00a0color\u00a0stability, plastics for mechanical endurance, or automotive components for long-term weather resistance,\u00a0our\u00a0weathering services offer trusted\u00a0outcomes.<\/p>\n<p>If you require testing aligned with specific standards or face unique environmental exposure challenges, our experts can guide you toward the right methodology. To learn more about our weathering service visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ul.com\/environmentaltesting?utm_source=mp_glomaterials_tf&amp;utm_medium=prospector&amp;utm_campaign=weathering&amp;utm_term=article&amp;utm_content=thoughtleadership\">UL.com\/environmentaltesting<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a world where products are expected to perform reliably across diverse climates and increasingly extreme weather conditions, the role of weather services in testing and certification has never been more critical. Modern industries\u00a0\u2014\u00a0from automotive and aerospace to plastics, textiles, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/21152\/pe-why-weather-services-are-essential-in-todays-testing-and-certification-industry\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":110,"featured_media":21192,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21,1],"tags":[214],"ppma_author":[1296],"class_list":{"0":"post-21152","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-plastics-2","8":"category-featured","9":"tag-plastics","10":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- 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&amp; Business Development, Engineered Materials, UL Solutions Olaf Sucker began his career as a trained automotive mechanic, laying a solid technical foundation for his future in advanced material testing. He deepened his expertise through further training as an automotive technician and master craftsman at the Chamber of Skilled Crafts in D\u00fcsseldorf. In 2006, he joined ATLAS MTT GmbH, the market leader in artificial weathering, where he worked as a laboratory technician. His strong technical skills and commitment to quality quickly became evident, leading to his promotion in 2013 to Laboratory Manager of the company\u2019s Duisburg facility. Following the relocation of the Duisburg laboratory to Linsengericht Altenha\u00dflau at the end of 2016, Olaf transitioned to UL International Germany GmbH in Krefeld. Initially returning to hands-on work in the weathering laboratory, he later expanded into customer-facing roles. His responsibilities have included handling customer inquiries, preparing pricing calculations for sales teams, and providing expert advice on artificial weathering and automotive testing. In April 2025, Olaf took a significant step forward in his career, becoming a Business Development Executive in the \u201cNew Material Testing\u201d business unit. 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He deepened his expertise through further training as an automotive technician and master craftsman at the Chamber of Skilled Crafts in D\u00fcsseldorf. In 2006, he joined ATLAS MTT GmbH, the market leader in artificial weathering, where he worked as a laboratory technician. His strong technical skills and commitment to quality quickly became evident, leading to his promotion in 2013 to Laboratory Manager of the company\u2019s Duisburg facility. Following the relocation of the Duisburg laboratory to Linsengericht Altenha\u00dflau at the end of 2016, Olaf transitioned to UL International Germany GmbH in Krefeld. Initially returning to hands-on work in the weathering laboratory, he later expanded into customer-facing roles. His responsibilities have included handling customer inquiries, preparing pricing calculations for sales teams, and providing expert advice on artificial weathering and automotive testing. 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