Why is UL changing its motor standards? This is generally the first reaction when people hear that UL is changing its venerable UL 1004 and UL 2111 standards for electric motors. Part of this reaction is due to the perception in some quarters that UL serves as the “Safety Police.” Another part of the reaction may be due to the comfort level that engineers have with the previous set of requirements that were first printed in 1972 and are well recognized by manufacturers.