ETL stands for Electrical Testing Laboratories in the United States. The ETL laboratory was founded by American inventor Edison in 1896 and enjoys a high reputation in the United States and around the world. Like UL and CSA, ETL can issue ETL certification marks based on UL standards or American National Standards testing, and can also issue composite certification marks based on UL standards or American National Standards and CSA standards or Canadian standards testing simultaneously. The "us" in the lower right corner indicates that it applies to the United States, while the "c" in the lower left corner indicates that it applies to Canada. If both "us" and "c" are present, it applies to both countries.

Application criteria

Any electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical product bearing the ETL mark indicates that it has met the minimum requirements of widely recognized product safety standards in the United States and Canada, and has been tested to comply with relevant product safety standards.

ETL also requires that its production site has been inspected, and the applicant agrees to conduct regular follow-up inspections of its factory in the future to ensure that the products always meet this requirement.

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After testing and meeting relevant product safety standards, it represents that the production factory agrees to undergo strict regular inspections to ensure consistency in product quality, which can be sold to the markets of the United States and Canada.

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(1) Any electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical product bearing the ETL inspection mark indicates that it has been tested and meets relevant industry standards.

(2) Any electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical product bearing the ETL mark indicates that it has been tested and meets relevant product safety standards

Related content

ETL certification is a certification required for exporting products to the United States and Canada. The ETL mark indicates that the product has passed accredited testing by NRTL in the United States and SCC in Canada. The ETL mark recognition has the same legal effect as the UL or CSA mark and complies with relevant safety standards. Having an ETL listing mark on a product means that it has met the minimum requirements of product safety standards. In addition, the ETL logo also indicates that the manufacturer's production site meets a certain range of standard requirements and ensures continuous consistency through regular follow-up factory audits. ETL has been around for over 100 years. The letters ETL are the abbreviation for Electrical Testing Labs, founded by inventor Mr. Edison in 1896. ETL represents innovative, influential, independent and publicly available product testing, as well as rich experience.

ETLus logo (only us, no us): Safety logo for products entering the US market cETL logo (only c, no us): Safety logo for products entering the Canadian market cETLus logo: Safety logo for products entering the US and Canadian markets Factory inspection: ETL certification in the US requires 4 inspections, while in Canada it requires 2 inspections per year; If both are present, it will occur four times a year.

The difference between UL and ETL

UL and ETL both represent products that have passed the testing of National Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) and meet the corresponding safety standards. So the real difference lies in the service. As an ETL customer, you can enjoy customized testing, inspection, and certification services, fast operating cycles, and flexible work methods. We are creating a closer working relationship with our customers so that your products can enter the market faster, smoother, and more efficiently.

ETL certification and UL certification have the same market access effect in North America, but the cost of ETL certification is much lower than UL certification, generally only half of UL certification. Moreover, ETL certified product testing can be converted through CB test reports, which can save you a lot of testing costs.

ETL certification also takes much less time than UL certification. In special circumstances, ETL can issue certificates first and then conduct factory inspections to save valuable time for the export of your products.

common problem

Common questions about ETL column name flags

Why do manufacturers choose ETL column names

Manufacturers hope to have multiple options to meet their procurement needs, and testing and certification service providers are also an important part of their selection.

Is the ETL listing symbol legally equivalent to UL and CSA listing symbols

The law requires that products sold in the United States undergo testing and certification at a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) designated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States. The function of NRTL is to provide independent evaluation, testing, and certification services for various electric, gas, and fuel products.

The ETL column name symbol affixed to the product indicates that it has met the basic requirements of the specified safety standards. In addition, the logo also indicates that the manufacturer's factory complies with various compliance measures and undergoes regular tracking inspections to verify whether the product has sustained consistency.

What is NRTL

The nationally recognized NRTL is an independent laboratory accredited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States, which tests products in accordance with applicable product safety standards, such as those developed by UL and other standard setting organizations.

What does ETL column name symbol mean

Simply put, the ETL listing symbol indicates that your product has undergone accredited testing by NRTL in the United States and SCC in Canada, meets recognized national standards, and meets the most basic requirements for product sales or distribution. For distributors, retailers, and customers, the ETL mark is a guarantee that the product meets safety standards and has been tested and certified by third-party organizations.

Will retailers accept ETL column name labels

yes. Because ETL listing marks are widely accepted and recognized as proof of product compliance, retailers have no reason not to accept products labeled with ETL listing marks. Individual retailers or distributors may not accept products labeled with ETL listing marks, possibly due to market misinformation - which misleads some manufacturers into believing that they cannot choose third-party testing partners on their own.

I am not familiar with ETL column name tags, what else can I do

There is no standard formula to help users better understand ETL column name flags. The correct method varies depending on the background, environment, and other details of the specific situation. Some users only need to show them other products with ETL listing marks that are highly praised and can be found in the "Listed Product Catalog" to eliminate their concerns. Some users may also insist that the UL mark is the only acceptable proof of product compliance, which requires a more comprehensive explanation of the true legal requirements implied by third-party product safety testing. Tell them about the NRTL program and explain to users that the product safety certification program includes the same testing, listing, labeling, and tracking inspection services as UL.

Which countries accept the ETL logo

In the United States and Canada, the ETL mark is a widely accepted product conformity certification.

Does the entire North American region accept ETL column names

Due to the widely recognized and accepted certification that ETL listed products comply with safety standards, retailers, inspectors, and regulatory agencies (AHJ) all accept ETL listed products.

History of ETL column name flags

ETL has a history of over 100 years. When manufacturers apply for ETL listing marks for their products, the letters "ETL" bring them a history full of innovation, influence, and independence. In fact, the original Electrical Testing Laboratory (ETL) was established by Thomas Edison in 1896.

The establishment of the electrical testing laboratory is to address the safety and performance issues of lamps. Edison's idea was to provide consumers with assurance through various product performance and safety tests. The basic principles of Edison's third-party lamp testing method are still in use today, such as experts monitoring lamps and bulbs to determine their service life, luminous intensity, and whether they will burn or explode.