Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) Services UK

A Nationally Recognised Testing Laboratory (NRTL) is an independent laboratory recognised by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to test products to applicable product safety standards. An NRTL's function is to provide independent testing and certification of devices that may pose a risk to the user. TÜV SÜD is an NRTL's.

FALSE. Many in the U.S. believe that OSHA testing facilities or other government agencies conduct the testing and certification of products and equipment for use in the workplace. This is false. The fact is that this testing is done by independent third-party testing and certification organisations. OSHA only operates the program that "recognises" these independent third-party organisations.

The NRTL Program is run by OSHA to ensure that products are safe for use by US workers. OSHA's recognition of an NRTL confirms the organisation's ability to perform product safety testing and certification within a preapproved scope.

FALSE. While OSHA "recognises" organisations as NRTLs under 29 CFR 1910.7, it does not dictate to manufacturers which NRTL they must use. In fact the opposite is true. OSHA "recognises" multiple organisations as NRTLs to create a competitive environment so that the manufacturers have a choice of which NRTL they utilise. Manufacturers can choose any NRTL, with the appropriate "scope", to show compliance with US, UL, ANSI and other OSHA recognised standards. OSHA considers all NRTLs recognised under 29 CFR 1910.7 to be equivalent in their "capability" to certify to the standards in their scope of recognition. OSHA does not dictate to manufacturers which NRTL they must use.

Not automatically, but TÜV SÜD is recognised in both markets. In Canada, a similar and largely equivalent program is in place although the regulatory jurisdiction is at provincial and territorial level. Regulators accept accreditation via the SCC (Standards Council of Canada) as a means for electrical products to be certified for the Canadian market.

OSHA safety standards are part of US law and specify requirements for "approval" (i.e., testing and certification) of certain products by a Nationally Recognised Testing Laboratory (NRTL). The original intent of these requirements was the safety of workers, but market forces and fear of litigation have moved safety certification into the mainstream for all electrical devices used or sold in the US. Mass produced products can be Certified while unique systems or installations may be approved via an on-site Field Evaluation.

The OSHA Product Catalog can be found here: http://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/prodcatg.html

Beyond mandatory approval of products used in the US workplace, NRTL approval is “market driven”, meaning that any electrical device that will be sold or distributed in the US will need an NRTL approval for open acceptance in the marketplace. Without NRTL approval most retailers will not distribute a product.

In Canada, all electrical devices that connect to the electricity supply must be approved by law. Approval can be via formal certification or field evaluation (special inspection). This is documented in the Provincial and Territorial Electrical Codes that reference the Canadian Electrical Code.

Yes. All NRTLs must follow the same rules in support of common acceptance. Under OSHA’s NRTL program TÜV SÜD certification includes the same testing, listing, labeling, and follow-up inspection services as competing certification marks (such as UL, ETL, CSA, and others). TÜV SÜD also works closely with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) county and local inspectors or regulators to ensure acceptance.

The marks are just symbols of adherence to the certification requirements. The difference is in the quality of the organisation delivering that certification mark. TÜV SÜD can provide you with fast responses and quality service at a competitive price.

We are qualified to a specific scope of standards covering a very wide variety of products. If you are not sure what standard is appropriate to your device, as this can often be confusing, contact us for free guidance.

Yes. Per OSHA, all NRTLs shall perform ongoing audits of production.

FALSE. Many in the U.S. believe this to be true. In fact, UL is a private, non-profit organisation and not a government agency. UL is recognised as an NRTL by OSHA under 29 CFR 1910.7 and has exactly the same status as the 18 NRTLs recognised by OSHA under the NRTL Program.

No. While UL participates in standards development along with many other parties, a manufacturer can choose any of the NRTLs recognised by OSHA such as TÜV SÜD. UL operates two unique entities, one being an NRTL capable of issuing a US product certification much like all other NRTLs, and a second independent body focused on standards development.

Yes. The process of moving a customer’s existing files from one NRTL to another is called a “Rollover." Pricing for a rollover is unique per customer based on the number of products and what existing test data they have available.