ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories) is a North American safety certification mark issued by Intertek, equivalent to UL (Underwriters Laboratories). It indicates compliance with U.S. and Canadian safety standards:
ANSI/UL standards (U.S.)
CSA standards (Canada)
NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) requirements
- Receive ETL Listed Mark (U.S.) or ETL-C Mark (Canada)
- Listed in Intertek's online database
Common standards:
- UL 62368-1 (Audio/Video & IT Equipment)
- UL 1598(Lighting Fixtures)
- CSA C22.2 (Canadian Standards)
- Conducted at Intertek labs (or approved partners)
- Tests include:
- Electrical safety
- Fire resistance
- Mechanical hazards
- Temperature testing
- Initial production audit
- Quarterly unannounced inspections (to maintain certification)
Key Features
- Accepted in the U.S. & Canada (ETL Listed = UL/CSA equivalent)
- Faster & often cheaper than UL certification
- Required by retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot)
- Covers electrical, electronics, HVAC, lighting, appliances, etc.
Products requiring ETL certification include:
- Consumer electronics (chargers, power strips)
- Industrial equipment (motors, control panels)
- Lighting products(LEDs, fixtures)
- Appliances (refrigerators, microwaves)
- HVAC systems (heaters, air conditioners)
ETL vs. UL vs. CSA
Certification | Issuer | Key Differences |
ETL | Intertek | Faster turnaround, lower cost |
UL | Underwriters Labs | More brand recognition |
CSA | CSA Group | Mandatory for Canada |