UL, CSA, ETL and CE: What's the Difference
UL, CSA, and ETL are each recognized by OSHA as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). These laboratories provide safety certification for products and ensure that product is made from suitable materials that meet the safety standards of the country they are intended for, utilizing good quality-control programs that ensure consumer safety.
All marks offer a similar standard of quality and safety. In America, certification is voluntary but an indication of rigorous safety testing.
Products bearing these marks have been tested and met recognized product safety standards. The manufacturing site has been audited and the applicant has agreed to a program of periodic factory follow-up inspections to verify continued conformance.
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (www.ul.com) is an independent, NRTL organization that writes testing standards and tests products for safety and certifies them. UL has developed more than 800 standards for safety, and millions of products and their components are tested to UL’s safety standards.
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is a nonprofit association serving business, industry, government and consumers in Canada and the global marketplace. Among many other activities, CSA (www.csa.ca) develops standards that enhance public safety. A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, CSA is very familiar with U.S. requirements. According to OSHA (U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations, the CSA-US Mark qualifies as an alternative to the UL Mark.
ETL, formerly known as Edison Testing Laboratory, is a mark provided by Intertek and ETL Semko. Intertek (www.intertek.com) is a global leader in testing inspection and certification services. They are a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory and test products to U.S. & Canadian Standards.
A product bearing the ETL Listed Mark is determined to have met the requirements of prescribed product safety standards. Moreover, the mark indicates that the manufacturer's production site conforms to a range of compliance measures and is subject to periodic follow-up inspections to verify continued conformance.
