What is ETL Certification?
ETL is a safety certification mark in North America, with a history dating back to the electrical testing laboratory founded by Thomas Edison in 1896. It has a wide reputation and recognition in North America. The ETL mark is the exclusive mark of Intertek Group, a world leading quality and safety organization. Products that have obtained the ETL mark represent compliance with mandatory standards in North America and can smoothly enter the North American market for sales. Any electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical product bearing the ETL inspection mark indicates that it has been tested and meets relevant industry standards. Every industry has different testing standards, so it is important to consult professionals for specific product requirements. The ETL inspection mark is widely used in cable products, indicating that relevant tests have been passed. In most regions of the United States, approval of electrical products is mandatory. ETL refers to ETL Testing Laboratories Inc. ETL's listed products are recognized by the 'Authorities Having Jurisdiction' and can be considered 'approved'.
ETL Certification Symbol
ETL Certification Factory Inspection
Certification Process
- ETL needs to conduct factory inspections before issuing certificates, and then conduct irregular follow-up factory inspections every quarter. In addition to the factory inspection fee, the certificate and license fees need to be paid quarterly
- If necessary, inspectors can witness the retesting or sampling of the product before testing it in the laboratory
Contract Requirements
ETL Certification Application Documents
ETL Certification Test Items
| Item | Test Content |
|---|---|
| Leakage Current Test | Samples used for leakage current testing have not been tested for other items |
| Normal Temperature Rise | Testing method: Thermocouple: Standard requires the use of 24-30AWG thermocouple (currently, the laboratory uses 30AWG) |
| Moisture After Leakage Current Test | General test conditions: T= 32+/-2°C, RH= 88 ±2%. Duration: 48 hours. After completion, remove and perform leakage current testing. Testing conditions: T=20~30 °C, RH=93+/-3% |
| Insulation Resistance Test | Products without double insulation and grounding requirements: 1000 V/1 minute (set the target voltage ramp time of the equipment to 5 seconds, set the cutoff current to 8.3 mA, and then maintain it at the target voltage for 1 minute) |
Difference Between ETL Certification and UL Certification
Certification Comparison
- UL and ETL both represent that the product has passed the test of a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) and conforms to the corresponding safety standards. So the real difference lies in the service. As a customer of ETL, you can enjoy customized testing, inspection, and certification services, as well as flexible working methods. We are creating a closer working relationship with our customers to help your products enter the market faster, smoother, and more efficiently
- ETL certification and UL certification have the same effect of market access in North America, but ETL certification is much cheaper than UL certification, generally only half the price of UL certification, and ETL certification product testing can also be transferred through CB test reports, saving you many testing costs
- ETL certification time is also much shorter than UL certification, and in special cases, ETL can issue certificates first and then conduct factory reviews, saving you valuable time for your product exports
