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.”
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.
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:
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.
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.
ETL has several advantages over UL.
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.
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:
Globally, here are all the Marks to date that Intertek and its companies can provide:
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 artwork can be, but is not limited to, a sticker‐like label, metal nameplate, laser etch, or stamp.
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:
ETL Intertek has a downloadable pdf that explains the complete ETL certification process as well as answers questions.
As you can see, ETL Intertek is an excellent alternative to UL. Both…
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.