Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leader in product safety testing and certification services for more than 115 years, and Earth Day Network (EDN), the international non-profit environmental organization that coordinates Earth Day programs, have announced a joint effort to help keep families safe and their environment healthy, according to a press release. As the premiere sponsor of EDN's upcoming 40th Anniversary celebration of Earth Day, UL has become the "Official Safety, Sustainability and Standards" partner of Earth Day Network throughout 2010.

"UL is proud to work with Earth Day Network to help spread environmental knowledge and inspire families to practice more eco-friendly habits around the home," said Keith Williams, CEO of Underwriters Laboratories. "As environmental concerns have evolved, UL's role as a safety resource has evolved as well. We recognize the need for helping consumers take steps to lower their environmental impact and are developing relevant and reliable standards for environmental sustainability."

The year-long program launches during Earth Week when families can visit UL's Safe and Healthy Environment pavilion at the Eco Village on the National Mall in Washington, DC. In the pavilion, families can learn how UL rigorously tests, verifies, certifies, and inspects everyday items while celebrating Earth Day's 40 years of action and awareness around the environment. The UL pavilion will feature interactive kiosks on family safety and provide useful information on maintaining healthy environments and the importance of safe play.

"We are excited about working with UL as they apply their experience and expertise to developing new, relevant and reliable standards for environmental sustainability," said Kathleen Rogers, president of the Earth Day Network. In support of EDN's Billion Acts of Green Initiative, UL is also partnering with KaBOOM!, a national non-profit making children and communities healthier by creating great places to play. The partnership addresses one of the top concerns for young mothers - the need for healthy playspaces that allow children to exercise their imaginations. UL is also helping KaBOOM! launch their campaign to "Save Play" for one million children this year. To do so, UL is sponsoring a national contest where communities can win one of four eco-friendly and innovative Imagination Playground in a Box systems. Imagination Playground in a Box is a play system that offers a changing array of elements that allow children to constantly build and re-build their play space. Visitors to the UL Pavilion will be able to experience an Imagination Playground in a Box first hand.

To learn more about UL's Earth Day participation and find valuable safety information for your world and everything in it, please visit http://www.safetyathome.com/. Additionally on the site, UL will be live streaming the Global Day of Celebration featuring Sting and John Legend on Sunday, April 25.