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Challenges when Bringing Hardware to Market?

Posted by Cliff on from the (just-about)-ready-for-the-world dept.

sandbenders asks: "I'm interested in building a product that would be of interest to some Slashdot readers (in other words, it's full of geeky goodness), and I have had great luck finding companies to help me build my design. It uses electricity, obviously, and I know this means that it has to be inspected, listed, etc. by the appropriate bodies. Does anyone have any advice for how to get this process completed, what costs to plan on, or other advice for someone starting up a business of this type?"

2 of 10 comments (clear)

  1. Try checking with SCORE by Lando · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.score.org/

    SCORE is made up of retired executives to help provide advice to small business owners. Not only can they help you work through the production process, but they can also give advice and help with administration, personal, etc.

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  2. Re:Testing laboratories by asmithmd1 · · Score: 5, Informative

    There is no law that requires you to get a UL listing, they are a private company. However, some retailers may not carry your product unless it is UL listed. If the product is less than 32 volts UL considers that "low voltage" and does not even list it. For example there is no UL label on GameBoys or Palm Pilots. The charger on the other hand plugs into the wall and does carry a UL listing. Is there any way to power your product through a "wall wart" transformer? You can buy these already UL listed and not have to bear the $10000+ expense of getting your product listed.

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