It has to be UL! Or does it?

 You have options when it comes to your testing agency. Read this to find out more!

“Today knowledge has power. It controls access to opportunity and advancement.” – Peter Drucker

Most industries have common misconceptions that are prevalent in day-to-day business.

One of the broadest misconceptions we often hear in the insulated wire & cable industry continues to be about the use of electrical testing laboratories like UL (Underwriters Laboratories), ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratory), and FM (Factory Mutual).

You wouldn't believe how often we hear from customers that a product “Has to be UL”.

In most cases, both customer and vendor do not understand the true jurisdiction of a particular testing laboratory. Neither of us questions such a request when it “Has to be UL”.

Perhaps we should.

Why?

Just one of many 

UL is just one of many companies that can be utilized to do the U.S. government’s standardized testing to meet the requirements of both the construction and general industry OSHA electrical standards by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. When an end-user states “It has to be UL”, they are usually partly correct.

While an organization may require a product to be tested to a particular widely recognized U.S. product safety standard - ETL, UL, and other OSHA NRTL agencies all test to the same exact standards. Often UL standards will be the most widely tested as they have been around the longest.

When a customer states “It has to be UL”, they most likely need the product tested to meet a UL safety standard. Not necessarily meaning that the product needs to be tested by the company UL.

The misconception is that UL is the only show in town when it comes to doing the actual testing of products…

The reality is they most certainly are not.

From UL’s website: 

“Do I need to have the UL Mark on my product in the United States? Is there a law stating that my product should have a UL Mark? Does our product require UL testing?

Manufacturers submit products to UL for testing and safety certification on a voluntary basis. There are no laws specifying that a UL Mark must be used. However, in the United States there are many municipalities that have laws, codes or regulations which require a product to be tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory before it can be sold in their area. 

The United States Government Department of Labor oversees the Occupational Safety & Health Administration or (OSHA). In regards to the Electrical Wire & Cable industry, OSHA has devised a 3rd party testing program performed through NRTL’s (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories) to ensure a product being distributed meets certain requirements to be able to carry the 3rd party testing agencies mark.

Having this OSHA NRTL approved 3rd party mark on a product gives consumers a set of checks and balances that they may use to help them ensure the Wires and Cables they are buying are safe, and of good quality. Since 1988 OSHA has provided manufacturers with a choice of which 3rd Party testing agency they use, with ETL, UL, and others testing to the exact same standards in order to be certified.

Checks & Balances

There are three main checks & balances that utilizing an NRTL on a product accomplishes for the consumer.

1.) The product has been built to meet the minimum safety requirement of a widely recognized U.S. product safety standard. (Often UL standards are used by ETL and other OSHA approved labs as they are widely recognized)

2.) The manufacturing facility has been audited by the US government – OSHA.

3.) The Manufacturer is to perform periodic follow-up inspections to verify continued conformance to OSHA’s NRTL regulations.

Having your product marked UL, ETL, or by another OSHA-certified testing agency means an OSHA NRTL tested and certified the product, and the product complies with the requirements of one or more appropriate widely recognized product safety test standards. They are no better and no worse than one another in this regard. While UL is a great organization and has been around since 1894, Thomas Edison himself originally founded Electrical Testing Labs (ETL) in 1896, just two years after UL was founded!

Both 3rd party testing agencies offer a long history of work performed and a solid foundation for choosing quality products.

The main difference between third-party testing companies is their customer service and the speed at which they act to certify your product. While UL is a widely utilized testing company, many have found them to be quite a bit slower when it comes to response time for testing a product. When you need something built quickly this could hamper your ability to complete a project.

Most people don’t realize they have other options to get their products tested to the UL standards they require. They don't know that they are not required to have their UL safety standard actually tested by UL the company, but any approved OSHA NRTL is able to test to those UL standards.

Numerous sources have stated that they have found ETL, FM, and others to be up to 75% quicker in testing response time. That speed adds value, helping customers carry out their projects on time and under budget. All while testing to the exact same UL standards that are needed.

From the Pro's

In speaking with professionals across the Insulated Wire & Cable Industry and the electrical wholesale distribution industry, there are a few points that are consistently noted.

• Most customers have no idea there are multiple testing agencies and do not know what an NRTL is. They think using UL the company is a requirement for product testing.

• Most customers who do know of other OSHA NRTL’s like ETL, CSA, FM, and MET are not aware these labs are able to test products to UL standards.

• Nearly all customers who are informed of this new information request a clear and encompassing overview of the actual role that OSHA 3rd party NRTL’s play in testing. Usually to help them educate their stakeholders an authority from the manufacturing company tries their best to offer an explanation using quotes from around the web, but without the all-encompassing rhetoric needed to fully teach these concepts.

Helping to educate your customers

The next time you hear someone tell you, “It has to be UL”, you can use this article to educate your customer and accomplish A, B, and C from above.

You and your manufacturer have the choice of which testing lab to choose who will perform the widely standardized required NRTL testing. Testing can be completed by UL; Thomas Edison founded ETL, FM, CSA, or one of the other OSHA Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories. No matter what NRTL company tests and marks your product, they will be testing to the exact same standards giving you peace of mind on your purchase. And if the product "Has to be UL"? Perfect! You have many options to get your product tested to UL standards. 

Thank You,

Brand Jonseck

For help with Wire, Cable, or Cord, contact: [email protected] 

For Public Relations contact: [email protected]   

For more information please visit: USAFactoryRep.com

About the Author: Mr. Jonseck is an accomplished Manufacturing Executive at the forefront of the Insulated Wire & Cable Industry. As President of Electrical Manufacturers Representative the Unique Sales Agency, he is an expert in Executive Leadership, Manufacturing, Brand Development, Supply Chain Management, and Inventing New Technologies for Niche Market Customers in the $7+ Trillion-dollar Oil & Energy field. Mr. Jonseck is also Principal Consultant for USA Consulting, delivering exceptional Strategic Management direction to companies like Disney, ABB, TOMS, Turner Broadcasting, Berkshire Hathaway, NIKE, and TJX. Topics range from improving Fortune 500 level Corporate Social Responsibility to Wall Street Investment decisions. Mr. Jonseck is an Alumni of Stanford University's Sustainable Energy Conversion and Storage Program, Harvard University's Strategic Management program, and Cornell University's Executive Leadership Program.