Standards/Approvals

Most countries have their own standards writing agencies. However, the basis for the majority of International standards are adaptations from, or exact duplication of publications from the following Safety Standard Agencies. These Standards Agencies are commissioned to create and publicize International Safety Standards. They are standards setting agencies only. The enforcement of and testing to these standards is undertaken at the national level, but the final interpretation of design and approval of the product always lies with the National Test Agencies.

Canada -CSA (Canadian Standards Association)

The CSA mark may appear alone or with indicators. If it appears alone, it means that the product is certified for the Canadian market, to the applicable Canadian standards. If a product has features from more than one area, (e.g.. electrical equipment with fuel burning features), the mark indicates compliance to all applicable Standards.

Canada -CSA (Canadian Standards Association)

If the CSA mark appears with the indicator "US" or "NRTL" it means that the product is certified for the U.S. market, to the applicable U.S. standards. If a product has features from more than one area, (e.g.. electrical equipment with fuel burning features), the mark indicates compliance to all applicable Standards.

Canada -CSA (Canadian Standards Association)

If this Mark appears with the indicator "C and US" or "NRTL/C" it means that the product is certified for both the U.S. and Canadian markets, to the applicable U.S. and Canadian standards. If a product has features from more than one area, (e.g.. electrical equipment with fuel burning features), the mark indicates compliance to all applicable Standards.

United States - UL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.)

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., is charted to establish, maintain, and operate laboratories for the examination and testing of devices, systems and materials to determine their relation to hazards to life and property, and to ascertain, define and publish standards, classifications and specifications for materials, devices, products, equipment, constructions, methods, and systems affecting such hazards.

Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC) is part of one of the world's leading standards development, certification and registration organizations.

The CE symbol identifies a product that conforms to a European Directive developed by a coalition of European countries that form the European Union (EU). This compliance is necessary for exporting certain cable types to countries within the European community.

European agencies require the agency marking to be molded into the plugs and connectors. There are two alternatives for marking cordage, The manufacturer's name and the National Test Agency symbol are printed on the blue primary conductor. In addition to the primary conductor marking, the symbol for CENELEC—"HAR"—can be printed on the outer jacket. According to CENELEC and the national approval agencies, the "HAR" symbol is not mandatory as long as a National Test Agency symbol is on the cordset. The product is fully approved for use in any Continental European country as long as it is manufactured to CENELEC and foreign agency standards and carries one of the above markings.

The primary responsibility of CENELEC is to develop electrotechnical standards which represent a consensus among its European member countries. While IEC publications are generally the basis for European National Standards, CENELEC will cover matters which its members feel are not completely addressed by IEC documents.

Intertek Testing Services NA Inc.

is in the business of product performance and safety testing and is among the oldest and continuously operating testing laboratories in the world. Today, the ETL Listed Mark can be found on numerous products that people come in contact with on a daily basis. 

 

A product bearing the ETL Listed mark with the "us" identifier at the 4 o'clock position has been tested and deemed compliant to U.S. product safety standards only. An ETL Listed mark with a "c" identifier at the 8 o'clock position means the product bearing it complies with Canadian product safety standards only. And an ETL Listed mark with both "us" and "c" identifiers at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions respectively, signifies that the product bearing the mark complies with both U.S. and Canadian product safety standards.

Germany - VDE (Association of German Electrical Engineers)

The recognized association for German standards is the German Electrotechnical Commission of DIN & VDE (DKE). The DKE standards are identical to IEC standards. The VDE mark indicates that a product has been tested and approved by DKE and VDE.

Switzerland - SEV (Swiss Electrotechnical Association)

The recognized association for Swiss standards is the Swiss Standards Association (SEV). The SEV has adopted IEC standards almost without exception. The SEV mark molded into a plug or connector indicates that a product has been tested and approved for use in Switzerland. All products to be sold in Switzerland must bear this mark.

Austria - OVE (Austrian Association for Electrical Technology)

OVE is the standards association and the National Testing Agency, IEC standards are the basis for OVE standards. The OVE mark molded into a plug or connector indicates that a product has been tested and approved for use in Austria.

Norway - NEMKO (Norwegian Board for Testing and Approval of Electrical Equipment)

The recognized association for Norwegian standards is the Norwegian Electrotechnical Committe (NEK). NEK starndards are identical to IEC and CENELEC. The NEMKO mark molded into a plug or connector indicates that a product has been tested and approved by NEMKO.

Denmark - DEMKO (Danish Electrical Testing Station)

The recognized association for Danish standards is the Danish electrotechnical committee (DEK). DEK adopts CENELEC and IEC standards as their basis for standards. The DEMKO mark molded into a plug or connector indicates that a product has been tested and approved by DEMKO. Goods not bearing this mark cannot be sold in Denmark

Italy - IMQ (Italian Institute of the Mark of Quality)

The recognized association for the preparation of Italian standards is the Italian Electrotechnical Committee (CEI). The basis of CEI standards is the IEC and CENELEC standards. The IMQ mark on the plug or connector indicates that a product has been manufactured according to CEI standards. There is no legal authority for the mandatory application of standards in Italy.

Netherlands - KEMA

The recognized association for the standards in the Netherlands is the Netherlands Electrotechnical Committee (NBC). The NEC adopts IEC standards with few deviations. The KEMA mark on the plug or connector indicates that a product has been tested and approved by NEC and KEMA. The use of electrotechnical standards is voluntary in the Netherlands.

Sweden - SEMKO (Swedish Institute for Testing and Approval of Electrical Equipment)

The recognized association for Swedish standards is the Swedish Electrical Commission (SEK). There are more than 800 Swedish electrical standards. Most of them are identical to IEC standards. Most of the standards are voluntary, However, domestic electrical equipment is subject to approval and cannot be sold unless approved by SEMKO. The SEMKO mark molded into a plug or connector indicates that a product has been tested and approved by SEMKO.

Japan Quality Assurance Organization

(JQA) is a not-for-profit organization specializing in registration services for ISO management systems as well as safety testing and certification for compliance to a variety of standards, both national and international. We started our operation in 1957, initially as a designated inspection body under Japan's Export Inspection Law. Their work contributed to the postwar recovery of and export-oriented Japanese economy by testing and certifying product destined for overseas markets.

Japan Electrical Safety and Environment Technology Laboratories

S-JET Certification Service for electrical products is designed to conduct product tests on each model of electrical products as well as inspections and continuous checks of manufacturing facilities and to put certified marks on the products which have conformed to standards. Distributors find it beneficial in improving the image of their stores by gaining increased confidence from customers and by marketing products bearing certified marks.

Finland - SATIN (Electrical Inspectorate)

The recognized association for Finnish standards is the Finnish Electrotechnical Standards Association (SESKO). Most of the standards set by SESKO are in accordance with IEC and CENELEC publications. The SETI mark molded into a plug or connector indicates that a product has been tested and approved by SESKO and SETI for use in Finland. Use of this mark is mandatory only on equipment used in homes, offices, shops & other premises where the public as admitted.

Belgium - CEBEC (Belgium Electrotechnical Committee)

The recognized association for Belgian standards is the Belgium Electrotechnical Committee (CEB). The range of CEB standards is similar to IEC. The CEBEC mark molded into a plug or connector indicates that a product has been tested and approved by CEBEC for use in Belgium. CEBEC approval is voluntary.

LCiE (France)

Australia - ETSA (Electricity Trust of South Australia)

There are six electrical testing agencies in Australia. Generally, an approval with one of the agencies is accepted by the others. The Standards Association of Australia (SAA) is the recognized association for the preparation of Australian standards. SAA's policy is to use IEC standards as its guidelines. The SAA mark molded into a plug or connector indicates that a product has been tested and approved by one of the Australian testing agencies and SAA. Australian agencies require that an approval number be molded into the plug and connector. The cordage itself is the same used in Europe.

BASEC, the British Approvals Service for Cables

BASEC provides product certification services for electrical cables, data/signal cables and ancillary products.

MILSPEC

MILSPEC

a procurement specification in the military series promulgated by one or more of the military agencies and used for the procurement of military supplies, equipment, or services.

Canadian Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is responsible for identifying technical and testing requirements for approved equipment. Equipment manufacturers are responsible for having the testing done, often by an independent laboratory. If the device passes the tests and meets all of the other requirements, the Coast Guard issues a formal approval certificate with a number that the manufacturer will affix to each approved device of the same design. After a design is formally approved, the manufacturer conducts production inspections and tests to make sure that production runs of approved items continue to meet the requirements for the device that was originally approved.

If the manufacturer changes any part of an approved item, the Coast Guard evaluates the changes before they are included in any device which is claimed as Coast Guard approved. Sometimes, this means that additional testing is required

U.S. Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is responsible for identifying technical and testing requirements for approved equipment. Equipment manufacturers are responsible for having the testing done, often by an independent laboratory. If the device passes the tests and meets all of the other requirements, the Coast Guard issues a formal approval certificate with a number that the manufacturer will affix to each approved device of the same design. After a design is formally approved, the manufacturer conducts production inspections and tests to make sure that production runs of approved items continue to meet the requirements for the device that was originally approved.

If the manufacturer changes any part of an approved item, the Coast Guard evaluates the changes before they are included in any device which is claimed as Coast Guard approved. Sometimes, this means that additional testing is required.

CENELEC

The primary responsibility of CENELEC is to develop electrotechnical standards which represent a consensus among its European member countries. While IEC publications are generally the basis for European National Standards, CENELEC will cover matters which its members feel are not completely addressed by IEC documents.

• Development of technical standards that are in the best interests of the industry and the users of its products         
• Establishment and advocacy of industry policies on legislative and regulatory matters that might affect the industry and those it serves         
• Collection, analysis, and dissemination of industry data 

DNV DET NORSKE VERITAS

Established in 1864, DNV is an independent foundation with the objective of safeguarding life, property and the environment and is a leading international provider of services for managing risk.

DNV operates in multiple industries internationally, but in four industries we have a strong market presence and a large customer base. These industries are:

• Maritime
• Oil & Gas
• Process
• Transportation (Rail and Automotive)