And how is it different from UL?

A month ago, we did a blog for manufacturers that explored the question, “Do I Need UL Certification for My Product?”

ETL, now known as ETL Intertek, was founded by Thomas Edison just 2 years after UL. He established his Lamp Testing Bureau (later renamed Electrical Testing Laboratories or ETL) to test his light bulbs.

In 2000, UK-based Intertek was created from the merger and acquisition of a number of innovative testing companies from around the world. These included ETL, purchased in 1988 by Intertek’s predecessor, Inchcape.

ETL has retained its brand identity and continues to grow. Per the ETL Intertek website, “Today, the ETL Mark is the fastest growing safety certification in North America and is featured on millions of products sold by major retailers and distributors every day.”

What is the difference between ETL listed and UL listed?

The short answer is none. Both listings are equally valid and legal. In the United States, only an OSHA-accepted NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) can test and certify products sold in the US (and often Canada). Currently there are 20 NRTL companies. These include UL and ETL.

All product safety certification programs include the same testing, listing, labeling, and follow-up inspection services. So, whether it bears an ETL, UL, or another testing agency’s label, that product has undergone the same rigorous process for the particular standard or standards involved.

For answers to other commonly asked questions about ETL and UL, check out ETL’s FAQ section.

You can also download a special white paper from ETL Intertek called “The Essential Guide to Product Testing & Certification” by filling out the form here.

But don’t I need to use UL to test for UL standards?

No, you don’t! The understandable confusion comes from the fact that UL also develops standards as well as does testing. NRTLs test to published standards in effect in the US. Just because a standard is UL-developed doesn’t mean only UL can perform the test. A standard is a standard, no matter who developed it.

ETL Intertek can perform tests based on over 1,350 standards in use in North America—including UL ones. In North America, standards that ETL Intertek tests to include:

• ASME
• ASTM
• ANSI
• CSA
• NFPA
• NOM
• NSF
• UL/cUL

Note that not all NRTLs perform the identical standards tests. To see which ones they perform, simply click on each company’s logo on the OSHA website.

Do I need testing at all?

As covered in the UL blog, there are no laws in the US requiring certification. But commercial building codes, electrical codes, your insurance company, and retailers may require it.

And if you produce a product designed to meet specific safety criteria or it might pose a safety risk, you definitely need testing. That’s because it helps protect you and the retailer in case of liability lawsuits.

Finally, a safety-certified label provides peace of mind to the buying public.

What are the advantages of using ETL for certification?

ETL has several advantages over UL.

1. ETL has a reputation for quicker turnarounds and lower pricing. Since manufacturers roll the costs for tests and labeling into overall product costs, saving money at the certification end provides a competitive advantage.
2. Their testing labs work more collaboratively with the manufacturer for more cost-effective, smoother results
3. Where practical, they’ll custom tailor their process to help manufacturers more quickly bring a new product to market
4. If you are going to market your product in other countries, ETL Intertek, with its vast global outreach of over 1,000 locations in over 100 countries, can help you attain the certifications required

Unlike UL, ETL Intertek does not develop testing standards. But their experts do serve on committees and technical panels that advise organizations that do issue standards and requirements. So, they are very much in the loop.

What does ETL Intertek do beyond Certification?

The focus of ETL is Assurance, Testing, Inspection, and Certification services. This means you can get testing done without taking the extra steps and costs required to get certification.

Their expertise ranges from Products & Retail, Energy & Commodities, Food & Healthcare, and Transportation to Construction & Engineering, Chemicals, and Government & Trade.

For example, Appliances and Consumer Electronics tests include:

• Electrical Safety Testing
• Certification & Safety
• Energy Efficiency
• ENERGY STAR
• Sanitation Testing
• Gas Safety Testing
• Emissions & Immunity (EMC
• Energy Storage & Battery
• Failure Analysis & Materials
• Benchmark & Comparison Testing

Globally, here are all the Marks to date that Intertek and its companies can provide:

• ASTA
• BEAB Approved Mark
• BEAB Care Mark
• CB Scheme
• CCC Mark
• CE Mark
• Clean Air Indoor Air Quality Certification
• ENEC Mark
• ETL-EU Mark
• ETL Listed Mark, ETL Sanitation Mark, and ETL Verified Mark
• ETL-AR Mark for Argentina
• ETL-NOM for Mexico
• Green Leaf Mark
• GS Mark
• Gulf Mark (“G” Mark)
• Health and Environmental Services
• Management Systems Auditing and Certification
• Product Conformity for Exports to Saudi Arabia
• Quality and Performance Mark
• S Mark
• Sustainability Certifications
• Tick Mark
• Warnock Hersey (WH) Mark

ETL Marks in the US and Canada

Looking at the Marks above, the use of both the C and the US denotes it meets standards for both US and Canada. US only or C only shows it meets just one country’s standards. And like UL, ETL Intertek also uses Listed, Recognized Components, and Classified marks.

The ETL Intertek artwork requires:

• The ETL certification mark
• The control number issued by Intertek for the applicant and manufacturer combination appearing on the test report
• And the wording for the standards to which the product was tested (e.g. “Conforms to UL STD XXXX” or “Certified to CSA STD XXXX”)

The artwork can be, but is not limited to, a sticker‐like label, metal nameplate, laser etch, or stamp.

What is the ETL certification cost?

ETL Intertek’s website posts fees for Electrical Certification Services. It presumes the testing aspect has already been done. Those fees are not addressed.

Electrical Certification fees include initial setup ($500) and then quarterly certification fees which include Certification, Inspection, and Expenses. In the US and Canada, those are $850 a quarter. If there are locations that need more than quarterly inspection, those are invoiced separately. For the US and Canada, that’s an added $415.

Then there are labeling fees for the ETL Mark itself. If products will have a direct imprint, it’s $250 a quarter. The cost of separate labels purchased through Intertek are:

• 500 labels: $800
• 1,000 labels: $1,000
• 2,000 labels: $1,300
• 5,000 labels: $1,600

ETL Intertek has a downloadable pdf that explains the complete ETL certification process as well as answers questions.

ETL listed vs UL listed

As you can see, ETL Intertek is an excellent alternative to UL. Both…

• Have been in existence since the late 1880s and have considerable expertise
• Are OSHA-approved NRTLs and follow their guidelines
• Can do additional testing for quality and performance or other certifications
• Can help manufacturers get certifications for other countries

But with ETL, you may be able to bring your product to market faster, more smoothly, and at less expense. Plus, with so many different testing companies from around the world under the Intertek brand, getting certifications for sales to other countries should be relatively easy to do.

To contact ETL Intertek, call their main USA office in Illinois at 847-439-5667. The combined North and South America contact number is 800-967-5352.

Here at Petra, we pride ourselves on the solid relationships we build with our vendor partners. Although we can’t help you through the ETL certification process, we can help in other ways. To find out all we can do for you and your products, visit petra.com.