The UL and MET marks both indicate that the product has met the minimum requirements of the applicable safety standards. Additionally, both marks validate the product’s continued compliance to these standards as evidenced by periodic factory follow-up inspections.
More than 30 years ago, MET broke the UL monopoly for product safety testing & certification in the United States becoming the first OSHA-licensed Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) in the U.S. The NRTL mark is required under federal law for products used in workplaces in all 50 states. The main difference between these two marks (Eurofins MET Listed Mark vs UL Listed Mark) is with the level of involvement and partnership between the manufacturer and the test lab.
Why Eurofins E&E North America?
How we compare…
 |
UL | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted by Major Retailers | ✔ | ✔ |
| Accepted by States, Cities, and Countries | ✔ | ✔ |
| Certifies to National Safety Standards | ✔ | ✔ |
| Two Follow-up Inspections Per Year* | ✔ | |
| The 1st Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) | ✔ | |
Plus, Eurofins Offers Unparalleled Service
- 24 Hour Quote Response Time
- Little to No Lead Time
- Dedicated Project Coordinator
- Flexible Scheduling
- Access to Senior Management
What is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)?
OSHA created the NRTL program to ensure that certain types of equipment be tested and certified for safe use in the workplace.
A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) is a private-sector organization that OSHA has recognized as meeting the legal requirements to perform testing and certification of products using consensus based test standards. NRTL recognition is an acknowledgment that an organization has necessary qualifications to perform safety testing and certification of the specific products covered within its scope of recognition. As a result, products that have been properly certified by the NRTL, are acceptable to OSHA for use in the workplace.
In 1970, Congress created OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration – to “assure as far as possible every working man and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions.” In the same year, OSHA published its regulation 1910.308(d) stating the electrical equipment would be held acceptable “if it is accepted or certified, or listed, or labeled or otherwise determined to be safe, by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), such as, but not limited to Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and Factory Mutual [Research] Corporation.” OSHA did not, however, provide a means of determining how a lab could gain NRTL status.
OSHA’s NRTL regulations were established in June of 1988. Following legal action by Eurofins against OSHA, a set of criteria was created for a lab could prove itself worthy of NRTL status. Eurofins became the very first organization to become recognized as an NRTL in 1989.
Why is NRTL Certification Important?
NRTL certification provides clear evidence that your electrical and electronic products comply with the required standards of the North American market. The Eurofins MET Mark on your product indicates national compliance by virtue of Eurofins’ equivalent accreditations to UL and CSA. The Eurofins MET mark clearly indicates compliance to US and Canadian requirements.
At the client’s option, the Eurofins MET mark can specify the applicable UL and/or CSA standard to which the product complies. The Eurofins MET Mark for product safety is accepted throughout the United States and Canada. For Canada, Eurofins was one of the first labs to be fully accepted by the Standards Council of Canada as a Certification Body. The Eurofins MET-c Mark is recognized by the Standards Council of Canada and provincial authorities throughout Canada. In addition, Eurofins is one of the few labs in the US with international recognition as a National Certification body (NCB) as part of the IECEE CB scheme that includes 50 countries.
Do retail stores sell products with the Eurofins MET Listed Mark?
Eurofins listed products are sold in many major retail stores throughout the United States and Canada. The Eurofins MET Mark indicates that the product has been evaluated for safety by an approved independent lab in accordance with the national standard. Eurofins is available to provide the necessary information if any retail store requests clarification of the national requirements. Retailers accepting products that bear the Eurofins MET NRTL Mark include Walmart, Best Buy, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, Staples, Target, Amazon, and HSN.
How does the MET label prove that a product meets the national requirements?
The Eurofins MET Mark indicates national compliance by virtue of Eurofins’ equivalent accreditations to UL and CSA. The Eurofins MET mark clearly indicates compliance to US and Canadian requirements. At the client’s option, the Eurofins MET Mark can specify the applicable UL and/or CSA standard to which the product complies.
What products have Eurofins tested? What manufacturers have relied on Eurofins?
Eurofins is approved by OSHA to certify products in over 200 categories and can test to an additional 230+ standards.
We have certified products as diverse as:
- Telecom equipment
- Food processing equipment
- Computers
- Gas detectors
- Hazardous location equipment
- Air conditioners
- Washing machines
- Blenders
- Power tools
- Medical equipment
- Home audio equipment
