The U.S. private sector third party certification programs, described below, offer manufacturers a choice. Although, many manufactures may still believe that their choice of safety certification provider for the US and Canadian markets is still limited to UL or CSA; the truth is that the laws in the US and Canada allow manufacturers to choose from a number of alternative certification marks that are equally recognized by the Regulatory Authorities in both countries. When your product shows the mark of any of these recognized certifiers, you can market and sell it in the US and Canada.
Your Choices of Recognized Certification Organizations in the US and Canada are:
- ETL
- ENTELA
- CSA
- ULI
- ULC
- MET
- TUV America
US Laws For Product Safety
- The National Electrical Code (NEC) used by all local authorities stipulates that electrical equipment must either be approved by the "Authority Having Jurisdiction" (AHJ), or "Labeled" by an agency (Certification Organization) "acceptable" to the AHJ.
- All AHJs accept the labels and marks of a Certification Organization accredited by OSHA as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory ("NRTL").
- Federal Occupational Safety and Health Regulations under OSHA also stipulate that all electrical equipment used in the work place must be certified by a "NRTL" agency.
- Consequently, products bearing the mark of any "NRTL" agency satisfy both local and federal regulations and, therefore, are allowed to be sold and used in the marketplace.
Canadian Laws For Product Safety
- Provincial Regulations stipulate typically that "...no person may manufacture, install, offer for sale, or otherwise dispose of electrical equipment unless the equipment in question displays a label or mark of a certification organization that is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC)..."
- Consequently, a product bearing the mark of any Certification Organization accredited by SCC is acceptable to all local regulatory authorities.
Please contact SIMCOM International at 001 (770) 730-9980 or by email at service@esimcom.com to obtain or quotation for your product approval requirements. |
