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In order to pass inspection from a fire code enforcement official, exit signs, emergency lighting, and egress signs require certification from a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) that the product has been tested to meet or exceed all necessary standards and requirements for that particular class of products. Equipment that has been certified by a NRTL is deemed effective and reliable in it's classification, and safe for use in that country. In other words, the product will perform as expected, when expected. (These certifications are also often referred to as "marks" as the certification logos are sometimes silk-screened, imprinted, or "marked" onto the final manufactured products. They can also be referred to as "listed" as these products are also registered with the NRTL as having received certification).
NRTL Certifications
Our products are "listed" with one or more of the following OSHA recognized NRTLs:
- Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)
- Intertek Testing Services (ITS) / Edison Testing Laboratories (ETL)
- Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
In the United States, Federal & State Government, OSHA, and most municipal localities recognize any one of the above NRTL marks as being equivalent (i.e. to have an "ETL" mark is equivalent to having an "UL" mark). There is a bit of bias towards the UL certification because it is so well known. Since the final arbitrator of code enforcement standards is the "local" authority, you should check with them if they have any issues with accepting an ETL / Intertek certification, for example. Refer them to Intertek's FAQs on the the subject. In any event, you can be assured that having any of the above certifications means that the product has been tested for reliability and safety. In fact, since UL = ETL = CSA as far as testing authority goes, the only important part of the certification is the country, as standards may vary from nation to nation.
The testing certification(s) for each of our products is detailed with an "Info Icon" on the PRODUCT description page. The meaning of the testing certification "Info Icons" are detailed below.
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)
Established in 1894, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent nonprofit organization that creates certifications and tests products for safety against those certifications in the United States. Although submittal is voluntary, most electrical products sold in the United States have been UL tested. UL has become the best known and most widely adopted of all NRTLs in the United States. UL can also test and certify products against Canadian standards, and "cross-certify" products which pass testing for standards of both the United States and Canada.
UL Listed for the United States - products have been certified by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. to have passed testing for all U.S. standards applicable for this class of products.
UL Listed for Canada - products have been certified by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. to have passed testing of all Canadian standards applicable for this class of products.
UL Listed for Canada & the United States - products have been certified by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. to have passed testing for all U.S. and Canadian standards applicable for this class of products.
Intertek Testing Services (ITS) / Edison Testing Laboratory (ETL)
The Edison Testing Laboratory (ETL) was established in 1896 by Thomas Edison, and has been testing the electrical performance and reliability of products ever since. In 1996, after many years as part of the multinational conglomerate Inchcape plc, the testing service division was sold to Charterhouse Development Capitol and renamed Intertek Testing Services (ITS). Intertek is today the largest tester of consumer goods in the world, established in over 100 countries. [The name change from ETL to Intertek led to replacing the original ETL mark with a newer combined ETL / Intertek mark, though the new mark is still often referred to as simply an ETL mark.] In the United States, ITS is recognized by OSHA as a NRTL, and it can test and certify U.S. products. Canada also recognizes ITS as a testing organization and certifying body. ITS can also cross-certify products which pass testing for standards of both the United States and Canada.
ETL / Intertek Listed for the United States - products have been certified by Intertek Testing Services to have passed testing of all U.S. standards applicable for this class of products.
ETL / Intertek Listed for Canada - products have been certified by Intertek Testing Services to have passed testing of all Canadian standards applicable for this class of products.
ETL / Intertek Listed for Canada and the United States - products have been certified by Intertek Testing Services to have passed testing for all U.S. and Canadian standards applicable for this class of products.
Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
Established in 1919, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is a nonprofit organization that administers the certifications and testing of products for safety against those certifications in Canada. Under Canadian provincial law, any electrical products that connect to the public power grid must meet or exceed CSA standards. The CSA can also test and certify products against U.S. standards, and "cross-certify" products which pass testing for standards of both the United States and Canada.
CSA Listed for the United States - products have been certified by the Canadian Standards Association to have passed testing of all U.S. standards applicable for this class of products.
CSA Listed for Canada - products have been certified by the Canadian Standards Association to have passed testing of all Canadian standards applicable for this class of products.
CSA Listed for Canada and the United States - products have been certified by the Canadian Standards Association to have passed testing for all U.S. and Canadian standards applicable for this class of products.