U.S. and Canada: Electronic Product Certification
All electronic equipment (equipment that contains active electronic components) regardless of input voltage or power rating that enters the U.S. and Canadian markets must first comply with FCC and IC requirements, respectively.
Products must be labeled with the proper FCC or IC markings. Keep in mind that the required markings may vary depending on the type of certification process used for your product. See FCC/IC Certification page for more details.
The FCC compliance process is completely separate from the NRTL certification process. They are governed by different agencies, require different testing, and apply to different product types.
NRTL CertificationVs. Field Evaluation for the U.S. and Canada
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) certification is a safety certification issued for qualified products, which grants the manufacturer permission to place the NRTL mark on said products before leaving the factory. NRTL status is granted to test laboratories by federal OSHA to provide factory-based certifications for applicable products to be sold in the US and Canada. The NRTL testing and evaluation requirements for any product must come from nationally recognized standards associated with the applicable product category. Some common NRTLs are: MET, UL, CSA, and TUV to name a few. NRTL certifications are most common on the following types of products:
- Products being produced in mass quantities from the factory
- Products intended to be connected to AC mains building power
- Products to be sold through retail stores
- Products specifically designed for customers who mandate NRTL certification
A Field Evaluation is also a safety certification issued to qualified products. This type of certification is a one-of-a-kind certification given only to equipment that has been individually evaluated by an approved Field Evaluation Body (FEB). Accreditation of FEBs is subject to the requesting party’s requirements. The testing and evaluation requirements for field evaluations also come from nationally recognized standards. Unlike the NRTL testing process, since field evaluations are conducted on the sample to be certified, destructive testing is not conducted. Additionally, constructional assessment is limited to the information available generally in the end-use environment of the equipment.
Field Evaluations are most common on the following types of products:
- Products installed in new commercial locations that do not carry NRTL approval
- Products installed in new commercial locations where the NRTL approved product has been modified
- Products that have limited production runs where the cost of NRTL approval would be prohibitive
- Products shipping to a customer who is requesting a safety approval for internal purposes
G&M Compliance: Your Partner for U.S. and Canada Product Certification
G&M Compliance has the experience and expertise to get your products compliant with U.S. and Canadian market requirements fast. Our compliance experts will help you pick the right certification scheme, submit the right documents, and work towards a smooth certification process.
Contact G&M Compliance for more information, or request a quote today!
