[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/UL and NRTL Safety Listing ULNRTLUS safetyOSHA # UL and NRTL Safety Listing for the US Market: What Hardware Companies Need to Know FCC authorization proves your product meets radio and EMC requirements. UL listing — or listing by any OSHA-recognized National Recognized Testing Laboratory — proves it meets electrical safety requirements. They are separate obligations, and confusing them leads to products that are FCC-authorized but can't be used in facilities that require safety listings for their electrical insurance. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Ful-nrtl-safety-listing) [Map my US safety requirements](/platform/new) Background ## What UL listing means and who requires it UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is the best-known National Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) in the United States, but it is one of dozens. OSHA recognizes NRTLs under 29 CFR 1910.7 to test equipment against national consensus safety standards and certify that products meet those standards. NRTL listing is voluntary at the federal level — there is no US law that universally mandates it for all products. However, adoption is effectively mandatory in practice for three reasons. First, the National Electrical Code (NEC), adopted by most US states and jurisdictions, requires that electrical equipment installed in buildings be listed by an NRTL. This means any hardware product that will be plugged into building wiring in a commercial, industrial, or residential setting needs a safety listing to be legally installed under NEC. Second, major US retailers — Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon's own fulfillment — require NRTL listing for electrical products. Third, most corporate purchasing policies for electronics specify listed products because their insurance carriers require it. The implication: FCC authorization and NRTL listing are both required for most electrical and electronic hardware sold in the US. FCC covers radio and EMC. NRTL covers electrical safety. Neither substitutes for the other. Standards ## Which safety standards apply to your product The most widely applicable safety standard for electronics in the US is UL 62368-1 — the Audio/Video, Information and Communications Technology Equipment standard, which replaced UL 60950-1 and UL 60065 in 2019. If your product is a consumer electronics device, IT equipment, telecommunications equipment, or AV equipment, UL 62368-1 is the primary standard. Other commonly applicable standards include: UL 1310 (Class 2 power units), UL 8750 (LED equipment for use in lighting products), UL 1642 (lithium batteries), UL 2054 (household and commercial batteries), UL 1012 (power supplies), and UL 60335 series (household appliances). The standard that applies depends on the product category and end-use environment. An NRTL laboratory will typically identify the applicable standards at the start of the engagement during a pre-project standards review. Selecting the wrong standard wastes testing time and can result in a listing that does not satisfy the end customer's or jurisdiction's requirement. Most UL standards are equivalent or very similar to their IEC counterparts — UL 62368-1 mirrors IEC 62368-1, which is also the basis for the EN 62368-1 used in CE marking. This means that products already tested to EN 62368-1 for CE marking are typically well-positioned for UL listing, though the US standard may have specific national differences (ANDIFs) that require additional testing. Process ## How NRTL listing works The NRTL listing process follows a defined sequence regardless of which laboratory you use. First, you submit a project application with product descriptions, schematics, component lists, and user manuals. The NRTL assigns a project engineer who reviews the documentation and identifies the applicable standards and required tests. Testing is typically conducted at the NRTL's facility or at an accredited contract test laboratory. The test scope covers electrical safety — dielectric withstand, protective bonding continuity, abnormal operating conditions, flammability of materials, creepage and clearance distances, and marking adequacy. Upon passing, the NRTL issues a listing and authorizes the use of their certification mark (the UL mark, CSA mark, Intertek ETL mark, or equivalent depending on the NRTL). The product enters the NRTL's published directory, which is accessible to purchasing managers, inspectors, and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs). Follow-up services — typically quarterly or annual facility inspections and production sample testing — are required to maintain the listing. The NRTL inspector visits manufacturing facilities to confirm ongoing compliance. This ongoing obligation is a cost that must be factored into the total listing budget alongside the initial testing fees. Timeline from application to first listing: typically 8–16 weeks depending on product complexity, NRTL backlog, and whether any failures require design iteration. Differences ## UL listing vs FCC certification vs CE marking These three are frequently confused by founders because they all appear as marks on products and all represent some form of regulatory compliance. They cover completely different regulatory domains. FCC certification (or SDoC) proves your product meets US radio frequency and electromagnetic compatibility requirements. It is issued or self-declared under FCC rules. It does not address electrical safety. NRTL listing proves your product meets US electrical safety standards — protection against shock, fire hazard, and electromechanical failure. It is issued by an OSHA-recognized laboratory. It does not address radio or EMC. CE marking is a declaration that the product meets applicable EU regulatory requirements — which may include safety (LVD), EMC, radio (RED), and others. It is not a US requirement and is not accepted as a substitute for FCC or NRTL listing in the US market. The marks that appear on a product sold in the US include: the FCC ID (on the device) or the FCC compliance statement (in the manual), the NRTL mark (on the device), and any applicable energy efficiency labels. A product with only CE marking is not compliant for commercial sale in the US. ## Learn this properly, not just for one product In-depth courses and books that teach the process — not a one-off answer you'll need to look up again next time. [Start the course — $149](/courses/07-ul-certification-complete-guide)See your free roadmap [Prefer to read? Get the book — $24.99](/books/07-ul-certification-complete-guide) ## Frequently asked questions ### Is UL listing legally required in the US? At the federal level, NRTL listing is not universally mandated for all products. However, the National Electrical Code (adopted by most US jurisdictions) requires listed equipment for electrical installations. Major retailers and corporate procurement policies also require listing. In practice, nearly all electrical products sold commercially in the US need NRTL listing to reach their market. ### Can I use CE test data to speed up UL listing? Often yes. If your product was tested to EN 62368-1 for CE marking, the test reports are highly relevant to UL 62368-1 — the standards are closely aligned. Many NRTLs will accept EN-based test reports and run only the US-specific national difference tests (ANDIFs), significantly reducing testing time and cost. ### What is the difference between UL Listed and UL Recognized? UL Listed means the complete end product has been evaluated as a system for its intended end use. UL Recognized (indicated by the backward UR mark) applies to components — parts evaluated for use inside larger Listed products but not suitable for use as standalone products. Most components in electronics (capacitors, transformers, PCBs) carry Recognized marks. The finished product carries a Listed mark. ### How long does NRTL listing take and what does it cost? Timeline is typically 8–16 weeks from application to listing for straightforward electronics products. Cost depends heavily on product complexity — simple consumer electronics with a single main standard typically run $8,000–$20,000 for initial listing. Complex multi-component systems with multiple standards can exceed $50,000. Annual Follow-Up Service fees add $1,500–$5,000 per year. 🇺🇸 US roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇺🇸 US compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/07-ul-certification-complete-guide)[Prefer to read? Get the book — $24.99](/books/07-ul-certification-complete-guide) Related guides * [ANSI Standards for the US MarketANSI (American National Standards Institute) accredits organizations to develop American National Standards.](/guides/ansi-standards-us-market) * [EN 62368-1 ExplainedEN 62368-1 (Audio/Video, IT and Communications Technology Equipment) replaced EN 60950-1 and EN 60065 in 2019 and is now the pr…](/guides/en-62368-1-explained) * [FCC SDoC Supplier's DeclarationFCC SDoC explained: which devices qualify, required content, responsible party obligations, record-keeping, and when Certificat…](/guides/fcc-sdoc-supplier-declaration) * [Energy Star CertificationEnergy Star certification guide for hardware manufacturers: which products qualify, EPA efficiency specifications, the certific…](/guides/energy-star-certification) * [NFPA 70 (NEC) and Hardware ComplianceHow the National Electrical Code shapes hardware product design and listing: Article 110.3(B) and the use of listed equipment, NRTL pathways under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.303, state adoption of NEC editions, and AHJ enforcement.](/guides/us-nec-nfpa70-hardware-compliance) Educational resource only. NRTL listing requirements are product- and jurisdiction-specific. Consult an OSHA-recognized NRTL for a definitive standards determination for your product.