|  | Public Health Safety | Work Safety

NRTL OSHA Regulations

An NRTL is a National Recognized Testing Laboratory. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety standards require testing and approval of certain products by a NRTL (see References 2). The safety standards are contained in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR). NRTL certification provisions are generally described in part 1910 (29 CFR 1910). Products requiring NRTL approval range from safety requirements for scaffolding to employee alarm systems and for products as small as a blasting cap to as large as a crawler locomotive (see References 4).

  1. NRTL recognition

    • NRTLs are private third-party entities that OSHA has recognized to provide product safety testing and certification. According to NRTL testing lab Nemko, NRTL approval covers products used in a workplace subject to OSHA's jurisdiction (see References 3). A NRTL is a testing laboratory and certification body, according to NRTL electrical certification organization TV Sud America (see References 1). Under 29 CFR 1910.7, a lab also must have complete independence in addition to the capability and control processes to test and certify products within the site's scope of recognition (see References 2).

    NRTL product certification

    • For OSHA requirements, a "properly certified" product from a NRTL meets at least three requirements. The product is labeled or marked with the certification mark of the NRTL, the certification is within the test standard recognized by OSHA and the certification is issued from an NRTL site location that OSHA has recognized (see References 2). In an article of Frequently Asked Questions about NRTLs, OSHA points out OSHA's acceptance of a product certified by a NRTL does not mean the product is "OSHA-approved." Rather, "It means the NRTL has tested and certified the product to designate conformance to a specific product safety test standard(s)." (see References 2).

    NRTL approval alternatives

    • OSHA lists two exceptions to NRTL required product approval. Concerning electrical equipment (subpart S of 29 CFR Part 1910), a product can be acceptable if it is certified by a NRTL or of a type that no NRTL will certify and is inspected by another authority responsible " for enforcing and assuring compliance with occupational safety provisions of the National Electrical Code." The other exception is for custom-made equipment for a particular customer that is determined to be safe by the manufacturer for its intended use (see References 2). OSHA considers these two alternatives minor exceptions and a NRTL must approve almost all products needing approval (see References 2).

Work Safety - Related Articles