What is an NRTL?

Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories

There can be several agency markings on any given electronic product. Some markings indicate an approval given directly from a government, while others indicate a certification from an independent third-party. UL, CSA, TUV, and ETL (also known as Intertek) are all third-parties known as 'Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories' (NRTLs).

Many people often confuse NRTL certifications with direct government approvals, which are actually different. There is a common misconception that UL markings indicate that the US government has reviewed, tested, and approved the product for sale within the states. Similarly, there is also a common belief that CSA markings suggest the Canadian government has approved the electronic device for sale. This is incorrect.

Put simply, NRTLs are independent testing labs that verify that products meet safety standards set forth by various 'standards development organizations' (SDOs) such as the American National Standards Institute.

A government, local municipality, your liability insurance provider, product distributor, and/or retailer may require a certification from an NRTL to underwrite a policy, reduce liability, or as a prerequisite to receiving a licence to sell.

In many cases, the widely known NRTL certifications are often interchangeable, but not always. For instance, OSHA could require a certification from TUV or UL, but your distributor may require a certification from ETL. Likewise, if you're planning on selling in a different country such as Canada, the Canadian government could require CSA approval or a particular type of UL approval. This explains why you can often see many NRTL markings on the same product.

The bottom line is that each product is entirely different, and what works for one company may not work for another. In fact, your needs can change from product to product. Regardless of your circumstances, our engineers have decades of experience getting products through all the major NRTLs and can help get your product through whichever fits your product best.