ETL Certified/UL Certified
The ETL mark or UL mark is proof of product compliance to North American safety standards. An ETL Certification Mark is also known in the US as a Product Listing Mark. UL and ETL are both what are called Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL). NRTLs are in place to provide independent safety and quality certifications on products (NRTL Program is operated by OSHA). Electrical appliances typically require certification.
Aside from the body that issues the listing, there is no difference between a UL listing and an ETL listing. Because Intertek ETL tests products to previously published UL Standards for Safety, products marked as ETL Listed meet the same criteria as those marked UL Listed.
The ETL Mark is accepted throughout the US and Canada. Both UL and ETL listings apply to most electrical products, not just lighting products. While there are mandatory requirements for certain types of products to carry a Certification/Listing in the US before they can go on sale, generally any product that has a Standard governing it can be certified. The following are common products requiring certification:
- Domestic electrical products
- Lighting
- Medical equipment
- Radio, telephony, and communications equipment
Refer to the following link as well for more information on what products require certification: OSHA Standards Requiring NRTL Approval
ETL Listing Mark consists of the following four items:
- The ETL Certification Mark with “US” and/or “C” as identifiers. The letter “C” indicates the product complies with a Canadian standard. The letters “US” indicates the product complies with a US standard.
- “Listed” or “Classified” or “Recognised Component” . “Listed” is to be incorporated into the ETL Certification Mark. If upon reduction, the word “listed” is not legible as part of the trademark, it shall also appear separately.
- The Control Number issued by Intertek. This five to eleven digit number is unique to the manufacturing site for each applicant.
- A product descriptor, which refers to the national standard used for certification, shall be used. Example: For US standards, the words, “Conforms to” shall appear with the standard number along with the word, “Standard” or “Std.” Example: “Conforms to ANSI/UL Std. XX.” For Canadian standards, the words “Certified to CAN/CSA Standard CXX No. XX.” shall be used, or abbreviated, “Cert. to CAN/CSA Std. CXX No. XX.”
To verify if a product is ETL listed, use the following link: ETL
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Devices that are designed, manufactured, or marketed in the US as a device that communicates wirelessly – using Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular, or any other RF technology – or that contains a processor, that device is subject to the FCC’s equipment authorization rules. Products with LED lighting are subject to FCC rules to ensure that devices do not cause harmful interference to radiocommunications services.
UN 38.3 Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries have been identified as a Class 9 dangerous good during transport. To be safely transported (by air, sea, rail, or roadways), they must meet the provisions laid out in UN 38.3. This standard applies to batteries transported either on their own or installed in a device, and it applies to all points in the battery’s transportation process: from sub-suppliers to the end-product manufacturer; manufacturer to the distributor; in or out of the product; in the field; during product returns or with non-original packaging.
Intertek protocol includes identifying/classifying lithium batteries; testing/qualification requirements; design guidance/conditions and packaging/shipping obligations.
UL 2108
UL 2108 requirements apply to low voltage lighting systems and components intended for permanent installation and for use in locations in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, Article 411.
Title 20 California Code of Regulations
Requirements to be energy efficient to be sold in the state of California. This includes lamps and bulbs. Beginning January 1, 2020, general service lamps with an efficacy of less than 45 lumens per watt cannot be sold or offered for sale in California.
To sell in the State of California, the lamp must be listed in the MAEDBS database. https://cacertappliances.energy.ca.gov/Pages/ApplianceSearch.aspx