ETL Certification

ETL is the most vibrant safety certification mark in North America, with a history dating back to the electrical testing laboratory founded by Thomas Edison in 1896. It is widely known and recognized in North America. The ETL mark is exclusive to Intertek, a world leading quality and safety agency. The ETL mark indicates the product meet the mandatory standards in North America and is able to successfully enter the North America market.

Brief introduction

ETL SEMKO is part of Intertek Testing Services Limited, the world's largest product and commodity inspection organization, with 240 laboratories and 469 offices in 93 countries in North America, Europe and Asia. ETL SEMKO provides testing and certification on product safety, EMC testing, product performance testing, and registration of quality management systems in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, HVAC, appliances, telecommunications, aviation, automations, semiconductors, construction materials, power generation systems, etc.

For any electrical, mechanical or electromechanical product, as long as it bears the ETL mark, this indicates that it has been tested against relevant industry standards and proven compliant. Every industry has set up different test standards, so clients should consult professionals regarding requirements for specific products. The ETL mark is extensively used in cable products, which is an indication of the passing of relevant tests.

In most regions of the United States, approval of electrical products is mandatory. ETL refers to ETL Testing Laboratories Inc. ETL-listed products are recognized by competent judicial authorities and can be considered approved.

Factory inspection

Before certification issuance, a factory inspection is required by ETL. Subsequent follow-up spot checks on-site will be conducted on a quarterly basis. The charges will contain factory inspection fees and quarterly certificate fees.

If necessary, inspector may witness re-testing or laboratory testing after product sampling. Licensees must sign a statutory contract (service agreement) with ETL, which clearly sets out the manufacturer's responsibilities and conditions for the use of successive ETL listing and ETL mark.

Application documents

Up to 2013, there are two ways to obtain the ETL certificate, one of them being to pass the CB test report and convert it into the ETL certificate, and the other being direction application. The required documents are as follows:

1. The application form

2. A copy of the CB test certificate (not required for direct application)

3. A copy of the CB test report (not required for direct application)

4. Samples

5. Other related test results and product information, such as product manuals, photographs, parts lists, etc. (In the case of a conversion of the CB report, a differential test is required.)

Certification in the United States

ETL is the abbreviation of the US Electrical Testing Laboratories. The ETL laboratory was founded by the American inventor Edison in 1896 and enjoys a high reputation in the United States and worldwide. Like UL and CSA, ETL may approve and issue the ETL certificate upon tests as per the UL standard or US national standard, or as per a combination of the UL standards or US national standards and CSA standards or Canadian standards. The ‘us’ at the bottom right means the mark is applicable in the US, the ‘c’ at the bottom left means it is applicable in Canada, and the two Labeling ‘us’ and ‘c’ means it is applicable in both countries.

Application standard

For any electrical, mechanical or electromechanical product, as long as it bears the ETL mark, this indicates that the product has met the minimum requirements of generally accepted US and Canadian product safety standards and has been tested to meet the relevant product safety standards.

ETL also requires the production sites to be inspected, and that the applicant agrees to conduct regular follow-up inspections of its factory thereafter to ensure the products always meet this such requirements.

Scope of application

If the company has been tested to meet the relevant product safety standards, it means that the manufacturing factory has agreed to undergo rigorous periodic inspection to ensure the consistency of the product quality for sale in the US and Canada.

The mark

(1) The ETL mark is an indication of any electrical, mechanical or electromechanical product that has been tested to meet relevant industry standards.

(2) The ETL listing is an indication that any electrical, mechanical or electromechanical product has been tested to meet the relevant product safety standards.

Related contents

The ETL certification is required for product export to the United States and Canada. The ETL mark indicates that the product has passed the recognized tests of the US NRTL and Canadian SCC. The ETL mark is equal effective as the UL or CSA mark and complies with the relevant safety standards. A product with an ETL listing mark indicates it has met the minimum requirements of product safety standards. In addition, the ETL mark indicates the manufacturer's production site meets a series of standards and requirements, and that the manufacturers’ factory has undergone regular learning and inspections to ensure consistency. ETL has been around for over 100 years. ETL is the abbreviation of Electrical Testing Labs founded by inventor Mr. Edison in 1896. ETL represent innovative, influential, independent and open product testing and rich experience.

The cETL mark (with c only and without us) :  it is a safety mark for products to enter the Canadian market. The cETLus mark: it is a safety mark for products to enter both the US and Canadian markets. Factory inspections Four times for the US ETL certification, and twice for the Canadian certification; four times if for both the US and Canadian certification

Differences between UL and ETL

1. Both UL and ETL indicate the products have passed the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) tests and meet the corresponding safety standards. Therefore the real difference lies in the service. As an ETL customer, you will enjoy customized testing, inspection and certification services, fast operational cycles and flexible working methods. We are creating ways to work more closely with our clients so that your products may get to the market in a faster, smoother and more efficient manner.

2. The ETL certification and the UL certification are equally effective for market access in North America, but the cost of the ETL certification is much lower than the UL certification, which is generally half of it. Moreover, testing reports of ETL-certified products can be converted into  CB test reports, which will save you a lot of testing costs.

3. The ETL certification is much faster than the UL certification. In special cases, ETL can issue the certificate first and then carry out factory inspection, saving precious time for your export.

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