Unlocking Market Access: NRTL Certification Process with Nemko

We live in a competitive world – we need to be first; we need to be fast; we need to be the best. For manufacturers and importers of products in North America, it can be challenging to compete when it comes to placing products on the market. For the US, Nemko operates under the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Program (NRTL) of the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We are happy to share that the Nemko mark is recognized by all distributors and big box retailers around the world.

Nemko has a 5-step process for obtaining the proper product safety certification:

1. Electrical Safety Design / Construction Review 

The purpose of this design review is to provide gap analysis and overall guidance against the regulations avoiding redesign prior to testing, ultimately saving time & money. 

2. Product Safety Testing

The purpose of testing is to confirm that safety hazards do not exist during normal operation and single fault conditions. A test plan on how the product will be used in the field will guide Nemko in selecting test conditions & test parameters for each test and each product variant to be tested.

3. Project Review

Based on the construction review and testing one of two different reports may be generated by Nemko: Findings Report or Certification Report

Findings Report states that if a product is deemed non-compliant in construction features or test results, the engineer provides a report that summarizes the issues.

Certification (Descriptive) Report states that if the product is found compliant during the testing, the engineer drafts a report that would be used to document the certification for ongoing factory inspection proposes. The manufacturer should review this draft as ongoing inspection rely on this report.

The draft of the certification report and sample are reviewed by certification department personnel who will determine that the product in fact complies with the safety standards and that the product was tested adequately.

4. Factory Inspection

Ongoing inspection of production facilities is performed to verify the production per applicable safety standards. Samples of certified product will be inspected along with records relating to the production process. During this inspection, Nemko is looking to ensure that the product is being manufactured as certified and that policies and procedures related to the production are being followed.

5. Report & Certificate Issued

After the draft has been reviewed and approved by all engineers, Nemko will issue the Certification (Descriptive) Report and Certificate of Compliance. The certification is posted to Nemko’s publicly available listing directory as evidence of valid certification.

Here are some tips that will be helpful in obtaining your product safety approval more effectively:

1. Engage early with Nemko as your regulatory partner.

2. Understand the applicable standard.

3. Design the product to comply with the standard from product inception.

4. Consider having Nemko conduct an initial inspection of the design.

The Benefits of working with Nemko

1. By choosing Nemko as your market access partner, you will be working with experienced processionals focused on delivery via the optimal route to product compliance and testing as well as can guide you towards the right path for certification.

2. Nemko provides a fast turnaround time, helping to get your products to market in as little time as possible.

For more information about how Nemko can help your organization for NRTL, contact us or write us at india@nemko.com