UL, CE, ETL, etc standards
- Thread starter az1324
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What type of product are you considering?
In Europe they use IEC and EN standards and you can self declare and apply a CE mark. Obviously you have to have something to back up your declaration.
In the US market Underwriters Labroatories is usually the most widely accepted certification agency. ETL is a competitor of UL but they use UL Standards to evaluate products and grant the use of their mark.
I am very familiar with UL and somewhat familiar with ETL. I am not to up on European requirements. If you can give some basic information on your product I might be able to steer you in the right direction and/or give you some contacts at UL or ETL.
In Europe they use IEC and EN standards and you can self declare and apply a CE mark. Obviously you have to have something to back up your declaration.
In the US market Underwriters Labroatories is usually the most widely accepted certification agency. ETL is a competitor of UL but they use UL Standards to evaluate products and grant the use of their mark.
I am very familiar with UL and somewhat familiar with ETL. I am not to up on European requirements. If you can give some basic information on your product I might be able to steer you in the right direction and/or give you some contacts at UL or ETL.
Third party certification is pretty much optional but can effect sales. From a Liability standpoint you might want it.
ETL is faster than UL but sometimes UL is cheaper. There are a lot of costs associated with maintaining the certification but ETL follow-up services tends to be cheaper but more expensive for the actual test program.
UL has offices in Long Island, Chicago, RTP North Carolina, Santa Clara CA. ETL is all over but I only know teh Totowa NJ office.
If the products are in "Power Limited Circuits" such as powered by a Class 2 transformer or Class 2 power supply the risk of fire and shock is low.
BTW I worked for UL for 12 years but I am not an expert on the types of products you mentioned. I think they might fall under "TIRE" Temperature Indication and Regulation Equipment or just HVAC.
ETL is faster than UL but sometimes UL is cheaper. There are a lot of costs associated with maintaining the certification but ETL follow-up services tends to be cheaper but more expensive for the actual test program.
UL has offices in Long Island, Chicago, RTP North Carolina, Santa Clara CA. ETL is all over but I only know teh Totowa NJ office.
If the products are in "Power Limited Circuits" such as powered by a Class 2 transformer or Class 2 power supply the risk of fire and shock is low.
BTW I worked for UL for 12 years but I am not an expert on the types of products you mentioned. I think they might fall under "TIRE" Temperature Indication and Regulation Equipment or just HVAC.
mustangcoupe
Senior Member
They may need additional testing to conply with FCC part 15. CE testing is run at 230 VAC 50 Hz and FCC is rin at 115 VAC 60 Hz. (unless it is a dc or low voltage unit)az1324 said:
mustangcoupe
Senior Member
Ya I figured you covered the safety stuff... I am not that up on the safety in my office we have an outside firm that handles that for us... I think he uses CSA instead of UL
I used to be an ISO auditor, that has to do with total quality rather then functional product certification. Basically if you like the ISO sample product the real product will more then likely be acceptable too. This also extends into the office and now into human resources. It basically just means they have a plan and they stick to it and an ISO certification company agrees and audits it to ensure the plan is valid and that they do stick to it.
Unfortunately until these newest standards a company didn't technically have to evaulate the customers opinions of the products or services. Basically if the plan had a poor target design they didn't have to change it, obviously outside influences eventually would (sales).
I'm thinking you want UL listing.
Unfortunately until these newest standards a company didn't technically have to evaulate the customers opinions of the products or services. Basically if the plan had a poor target design they didn't have to change it, obviously outside influences eventually would (sales).
I'm thinking you want UL listing.
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