Yes, UL is a US thing. I had the misfortune in a former life of having to deal with the UL as well as DOT regulations. Insurance companies and the NFPA can get very picky if a product is not UL certified. Even the European version of the UL stamp, the CE stamp, does not satisfy them. While the UL 'blessing' isn't required, it makes it much more difficult for a company to sell their products in the US without it. That's why the UL is so rich.