What is ETL certification for electronic products?

As we all know, the North American market has strict requirements for product safety. For manufacturers planning to export electronic and electrical products to the North American market, ETL certification is a key factor. It is not only a ticket to enter the North American market but also a symbol of quality and safety assurance. In addition, products with ETL certification usually pass through customs and market supervision more quickly, accelerating the product listing process.

What is North American ETL certification?

ETL certification is a product safety certification provided by Intertek Laboratories, which stands for "Electrical Testing Laboratories" and is widely known and recognized in North America. Products with ETL certification have been tested and verified to meet specific safety standards. ETL certification is equivalent to UL or CSA certification, and its laboratory is recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL).

Which products require ETL certification?

The range of products requiring ETL certification is very broad, mainly including but not limited to the following types:

- Power tools

- Household appliances

- Communication products

- IT products

- Lighting fixtures, switches

- Medical devices

- Electronic components

- Mechanical products

- Toys

- Other products that need to meet specific safety standards.

ETL certification ensures that products meet safety standards and performance indicators in the North American market. If your product falls into the above categories or has specific safety standard requirements, obtaining ETL certification will be a necessary step.

How to obtain ETL certification?

The process of obtaining ETL certification typically includes the following steps:

1. Fill out the application form: First, you need to submit a detailed application form to our company.

2. Provide samples: Provide product samples and related technical documents, such as manuals, circuit schematics, circuit diagrams, certificates of key components, specifications for inductors and transformers, labels, and BOM lists.

3. Product testing: Our company tests the samples to ensure that the products meet the relevant safety standards.

4. Factory inspection: After the testing is completed and the products meet the standards, the certification body will arrange an inspection of the production factory to ensure the quality and safety of the products during the production process.

5. Certification issuance: Once the factory inspection is passed, the certification body will issue the ETL certification.

The entire certification process takes about 5 weeks. It is important to note that after obtaining ETL certification, the manufacturer's factory will undergo regular inspections to ensure that the products continue to meet ETL certification standards.

ETL certification mark

The ETL certification mark is provided by Intertek Laboratories and represents that the product has met the minimum requirements for product safety standards in the United States and Canada.

cETL (only c, no us): Safety mark for products entering the Canadian market.

ETLus mark (only us, no c): Safety mark for products entering the US market.

cETLus (both c and us): Safety mark for products entering both the US and Canadian markets.

Difference between ETL and UL

ETL certification and UL certification are both product safety certifications, and they are similar in some aspects but also have some differences:

Cost and time: ETL certification costs are usually lower than UL certification, and the ETL certification process may be faster. In special cases, ETL certification can be issued before factory inspection, saving time.

Market acceptance: Although both are widely accepted in the North American market, UL certification has a longer history and higher credibility in the United States.

Frequency of inspections: Factories with ETL certification need to undergo quarterly inspections, while the frequency of inspections for UL certification may vary.

Handling of expired standards: ETL certificates expire with the expiration of UL/CSA standards and cannot continue to apply for old standards; UL certificates can still be queried on the UL website after the standards expire, and in appropriate cases, old standards can still be applied for.

In summary, ETL and UL certification both indicate that products have passed tests by nationally recognized testing laboratories (NRTL) and comply with relevant safety standards. Manufacturers can choose the appropriate type of certification according to their needs and conditions. You can also inform us of the products you need to certify and your requirements, and we can provide you with a customized certification plan to meet market demands."