Climatic Chamber Configurator
Discover the Climatic Chamber Configurator
Our guide to choosing the climate chamber best suited to your needs.
On these pages we often find ourselves citing certifications issued by international standards regarding the safety of products and materials.
There are many of them and it's not always easy to find your way around.
Today we talk about UL certifications and ETL marking, their similarities and differences.
UL vs. ETL: Differences and Similarities
Both UL, or Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and ETL, or Electrical Testing Laboratories, issue safety certifications on products and materials for businesses.
The main difference is that UL produces its own safety standards, while ETL takes on standards produced by other laboratories (including UL itself) and conducts tests on behalf of companies in accordance with the established requirements.
To use a metaphor, the UL is a source of law, while the ETL functions like a court.
Another difference is that UL certifications cover many more areas, whereas ETL certifications focus on the electronics sector, but we will see this better in the next paragraphs.
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What is UL Certification?
Underwriter Laboratories was founded in 1984 by Boston engineer William Henry Merrill, during a period of great excitement over the progressive electrification of the United States.
The purpose of the laboratories was to formulate standardized tests, equipment, and subsequent procedures to verify the safety of electrical equipment.
Over the decades, UL's mission has expanded beyond electronics, and today UL certifications cover multiple industries and areas such as plastics, building materials , and building safety for fires and accidents.
Today, UL is both a leading organization that produces standards in various fields and a laboratory that performs tests on behalf of companies wishing to obtain the aforementioned certifications.
What is the ETL Mark?
Although the Electrical Testing Laboratories do not have the prerogative of producing autonomous standards, they are far from being a second-rate institution.
They were in fact founded by Thomas Edison himself, back in 1896, under the name Lamp Testing Bureau. The famous inventor was interested in certifying the safety of his products through an organization that would carry out all the necessary tests.
Today the ETL trademark is owned by Intertek , which has a network of laboratories throughout North America where tests are performed in compliance with the standards of the aforementioned UL, but also ASME, ASTM, CSA, NSF and many others.
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Comparison Table: UL Certification vs. ETL Mark
| Characteristic | UL (Underwriters Laboratories) | ETL (Intertek) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 1894 (William Henry Merrill) | 1896 (Thomas Edison) |
| Main function | Create standards + run tests | Performs tests according to third-party standards |
| Own standards | Yes (UL standard) | No (uses UL, ASTM, CSA, ANSI, etc.) |
| Sectors covered | Electronics, plastics, construction, fire, safety | Mainly electronics and electrical engineering |
| Recognition | Global, very strong in North America | Mainly North America |
| Current owner | UL Solutions (independent organization) | Intertek Group plc |
| Legal equivalence | Both are OSHA-recognized Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs) | |
Are UL and ETL Interchangeable?
Legally speaking in the United States, yes. Both UL and ETL are recognized as NRTLs (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories) by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This means that a product with the ETL mark has the same legal standing as one with the UL mark in terms of safety compliance.
However, in practice, the UL Mark is better known among consumers and in some specific markets may be preferred by distributors or end customers.
How to Get UL or ETL Certified
The certification process generally involves these steps:
- Request and preliminary evaluation: the manufacturer contacts UL or Intertek (ETL) and provides the product's technical documentation
- Laboratory testing: the product is subjected to safety tests, which often include climatic tests in a climate chamber (temperature, humidity, thermal shock)
- Plant inspection: verification of the production process and quality control
- Certification release: if the product passes all the tests, the mark is released
- Periodic follow-ups: annual inspections to maintain active certification
UL and ETL certification in Europe
In Europe, UL and ETL certifications do not replace the CE marking, which remains mandatory for marketing in the European market. However, having UL or ETL certification can be a competitive advantage for European companies exporting to North America.
For climatic testing required by both UL/ETL and CE certifications, FDM climatic chambers offer the flexibility to meet both requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about UL and ETL
How much does UL certification cost?
The cost of UL certification varies significantly depending on the complexity of the product and the number of tests required. It can range from a few thousand dollars for simple products to tens of thousands for complex products. ETL certification tends to have comparable costs and timeframes.
What is the difference between UL Listed and UL Recognized?
UL Listed applies to finished products ready for use (e.g., a household appliance), while UL Recognized applies to components intended to be incorporated into a finished product (e.g., a transformer).
Do UL tests include climatic testing?
Yes, many UL standards include climatic tests such as temperature, humidity, and thermal shock. These tests are essential to verify that products function safely even in adverse environmental conditions. Climatic chambers are the instruments used to perform these tests.
Climatic tests in accordance with UL and ETL certifications
Several of the key tests covering industries covered by UL and ETL – including electronics– include climatic testing.
FDM climatic chambers are the ideal tools for carrying out all the most common climatic tests, according to internationally recognized standards, including those of UL certification, implemented by the ETL mark.
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