An Introduction to Product Safety Testing for Electrical and Electronic Products

Product safety testing is an essential part of the product development process. It ensures that the final product meets all required regulatory standards and specifications. In most countries around the world, product safety testing is required by law. This is especially true in Europe and North America, where there are strict regulations regarding electrical and electronic products that prevent them from being sold unless they have been tested.

What is product safety testing?

Product safety testing ensures that your products are safe to use and won't cause any harm to those who come into contact with them. It also gives you peace of mind when it comes to selling your goods on international markets.

What to look for in a product testing company

• Accreditation: If you’re looking for a product testing company, make sure that they are accredited. Accreditation is a sign that your product testing company has been approved by an independent third party and has met the industry’s standards for safety and quality assurance. In the US, look for an accredited NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) provider. In Canada look for a Canadian Certification Body (CB) certified by SCC (Standards Council of Canada).
• Experience: Find a company that specializes in your industry — this will allow them to provide more accurate results and recommendations based on their knowledge of your products and understanding of the regulatory landscape.
• Flexibility: Find an organization that can work according to your schedule. You may want to consider a provider that has testing facilities in multiple locations to better serve your strategy.

CE marking and the European market

To sell your product in the European market, it must be marked with CE marking. The CE mark shows that a product meets all the safety, health, and environmental requirements set by the European Union. It is mandatory for electronic products sold in Europe and means that a product can legally be sold anywhere within the EU and the European Economic Area. Products that do not have the CE Marking may not be imported or sold in the EU.

CE marking applies only to electrical and electronic products that fall within its scope—which includes most AC-powered devices such as small appliances and medical equipment, but not larger systems like factories or large power plants. Higher risk devices like pressure equipment or medical devices will require Certification under different CE marking requirements.

Safety requirements in North America

The United States also has many product safety requirements for electrical and electronic goods; for example, the FCC mark is a mandatory label that needs to be applied to all radio frequency emitting devices (intended or unintended).  EMC certification is a mandatory requirement in most markets.

In addition, some states have their own laws that apply specifically to their jurisdiction. These can be challenging because they may differ from federal ones depending on your type of product. For example, the California Energy Commission (CEC) Title 20 and Title 24 are specific regulations concerning the energy efficiency of products.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to get your products into the North American or European markets, you need to make sure that they comply with the relevant standards. This means doing some product safety testing and certification to ensure that your products meet all the required legal requirements. TÜV SÜD has worked with thousands of companies and even more products to ensure that they are compliant with all the necessary regulations.

Check out our article "Why are there standards?"

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