Why Perform Compliance Testing?
Compliance Testing ensures that products released into the market are certified to meet safety Standards
and Code requirements for installation.
The following sections give an overview of the Standards and Codes that must be used to evaluate a
product for certification.
Standards, NRTL
Standards testing is performed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) authorized by the
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) to identify third-party organizations for the United
States.
There are many NRTL agencies of which Underwriters Laboratory (UL), TUV Rheinland, Intertek (ETL)
and others are accredited members.
NRTLs directly benefit you by:
- Easing your burden in ensuring manufacturers and building owners comply with building codes, electrical safety codes, municipal codes, and fire codes.
- Conducting testing backed by transparent research reports.
- Giving you the information you need to perform your job efficiently and effectively.
- Providing assurance that a product has been properly tested and complies with current standards through its recognizable certification marks.
Standards, Safety Organizations
There are other standards organizations that contribute to NRTL’s to help define safety standards:
- American National Standards Institute – ANSI
- International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
- Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
- National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Codes
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization,
established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire,
electrical and related hazards.
Adopted in all 50 states, NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC) is the benchmark for safe electrical
design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards.
Future articles will follow a product through the submission and evaluation by a NRTL.
- Project Submission
- Determine classification of product
- Intended market areas
- Stated ratings and functions
- User Product information (installation, operation manual, etc.)
- Determination of applicable standards
- Quote with scope of work
- Purchase order or decline
- Product Review
- Submission of final/near final product
- Mechanical Analysis
- Electrical Analysis
- Validation tests based on review
- Final Approval/Certificate of Acceptance
- Procedures for factory follow-up visits
- Quarterly factory visits
- At end of life, withdrawal of product
