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MET
vs. UL? Click here
to discover all the benefits of choosing MET over UL.
MET is accredited by OSHA to certify to over
170 product categories. For the complete list, click here. |
You
don't need UL anymore for your product
safety certification. MET Laboratories
is the responsive alternative.
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Service
MET
is sensitive to the manufacturer's need to minimize
time to market. Our compliance engineers are customer
oriented and will keep an open line of communication
with you to prevent unnecessary delays.
Our service to our product safety customers includes:
Manufacturers who perform their own product
safety certification testing in-house, or who
enjoy the convenience of using a local test
lab, should consider partnering with MET Labs.
MET is OSHA accredited to accept and certify test
data generated by sources considered "non-independent."
With MET these alternative sources of testing
can be folded within the MET process for NRTL
certification. This partnership could expand
from accepting test data to acceptance of a
manufacturer's or their local non-NRTL test
lab's product certification. Contact a MET account
manager to learn more.
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MET
Labs- The First NRTL
In
the 1970s and 1980s, MET made headlines by challenging
UL's dominance of product safety certification.
In 1989, MET's efforts were rewarded by the Federal
government by becoming the first Nationally Recognized
Testing Laboratory (NRTL) in the United States.
As the first NRTL, MET was the first lab to provide
manufacturers and electrical inspectors with a
viable alternative choice for responsive product
safety certification. Today, MET continues to
be a leader in testing, certifying to national
and international standards, and offering cost-effective
and timely solutions to compliance problems.
MET Laboratories is the better UL alternative.
For a complete listing of standards to which MET
tests and certifies under the NRTL program, visit
MET's scope
on OSHA's web site.
The
MET Mark
 |
Click
here
to see other marks. |
The
MET Mark for product safety is accepted throughout
the United States and Canada.
Our NRTL designation means the MET Mark is acceptable
under Federal law for products used in workplaces
throughout the United States. In addition, the
MET Mark has also been approved by states, cities,
counties, and other jurisdictions nationwide that
maintain their own standards for product certification.
MET is accredited by the Standards Council of
Canada for approval throughout Canada.
The MET Mark indicates to consumers, OSHA inspectors,
local electrical inspectors, and purchasing agents
that the product complies with the applicable
UL or CSA standard. The MET Mark eliminates any
questions about the product's acceptability.
Convert
Your Existing NRTL Listings to MET.
Click
here to learn of the
benefits of switching over to MET. Some restrictions
apply.
See Sales representative for details.
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Canada
In
Canada, MET is accredited as a Certification Body
by the Standards Council of Canada and provincial
authorities throughout Canada. As in the U.S.,
the MET label indicates the applicable CSA standard
to which the product has been certified.
A new ruling by the Standards Council of Canada has required that the type of certification is clearly indicated on the mark (label) used to indicate certification. This can be achieved by either indicating the actual standard to which the product has shown compliance or using the following terms "Electrical Safety" or if applicable "Electrical Safety and/or Hazardous Location Safety". This requirement will be in effect April 1, 2012.
Clients who purchase labels directly from MET are already in compliance. Those clients who employ direct imprinting methods will need to change their artwork if their present labeling does not comply. These clients are required to submit a revised drawing for approval along with a PAR (Project AMendment Request) form available at http://www.metlabs.com/safety/info/PAR.pdf.
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CB
Scheme
For
international product certification, MET is a
National Certification Body in accordance with
the IECEE Certified Body (CB) Scheme. For certain
product categories, MET can issue an international
test report which will be accepted by laboratories
and authorities in 50 CB
Scheme member countries.
MET currently is recognized by IECEE to issue test reports and certificates and also to recognize such reports and certificates from other participating countries for the following International Standards:
- IEC 61010-1: Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use - Part 1: General requirements
- IEC 60601-1: Medical electrical equipment - Part 1: General requirements for safety - 4. Collateral standard: Programmable electrical medical systems
- IEC 60950-1: Information technology equipment - Safety - Part 1: General requirements
- IEC 60065: Safety requirements for mains operated electronic and related apparatus for household and similar general use
Additionally, MET is a recognized National Certifiying Body (NCB) within the CB scheme for the review and recognition of test reports to IEC 60745-1: Safety of hand-held motor-operated electric tools and fifteen subsets of this standard that cover various hand-held electric motorized tools such as drills, saws, planes, routers and
trimmers.
Visit the IECEE site to the learn more.
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CE
Marking
| MET
provides the testing, technical reports, and
Declaration of Conformity to be signed for
CE Marking. MET has been designated by NIST
as a Conformity Assessment Body, or CAB. |
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GS
Mark
MET
Labs' agreement with Nemko
provides our clients with access to the German
GS mark for safety.
MET prepares a CB style report that includes German
deviations and submits the report to Nemko to
review for approval. Samples are not required
to be sent to Germany. Either MET or Nemko
must conduct annual factory inspections to maintain
the GS mark. Both MET and Nemko must have
national or international accreditation in the
particular product category in order to offer
this service.
Retail Acceptance
MET Labs is recognized by major retailers such as:
- Wal-Mart
- Home Depot
- Best Buy
- Lowe's
- Home Shopping Network
- Radio Shack
- Sears
- Staples
- Target
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Energy Star Testing
Learn more about MET's Green Testing Services. |
|
Energy Star is a joint program between the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy. Using Energy Star products helped consumers save $16 billion dollars on their utility bills in 2007.
MET Laboratories is proud to announce that they are now conducting Energy Star testing. All consumer products that MET is currently approved by OSHA for 170 categories can now be tested to Energy Star specifications in addition to product safety testing and certification. In addition to the MET Mark, the Energy Star mark will help to attract consumers and businesses to buy your product in order to be a part of the green revolution. |
Laser
Safety
Responding
to the increased acceptance and deployment of
fiber optic technology, as well as the increased
use of lasers in consumer products such as CD
and DVD players, MET has developed a comprehensive
Laser Safety Evaluation Program. For more information,
visit our Laser
Safety page.
Field
Labeling
Over
40 years of experience has produced a MET Field
Evaluation Program specifically designed to meet
the needs and answer the questions of electrical
inspectors. MET professionally evaluates custom
or unlabeled field equipment in accordance with
applicable sections of the NEC, UL standards,
and jurisdictional standards. For more information,
visit our Field Labeling
page.
Reduced
Follow Up Inspections
OSHA
has issued a policy change regarding the frequency
of the required NRTL follow-up inspections. The
change allows MET Laboratories to reduce follow-up
inspections to two inspections per year. This
change became effective January 1, 2003. MET is
the first NRTL to adopt this revised policy.
Manufacturers of equipment for use in hazardous
locations and / or intrinsically safe equipment,
still require inspections four times a year.
OSHA does not require that manufacturers be registered
to ISO 9002 in order to qualify for these reduced
follow up inspections.
Under the new policy change, follow-up fees, including
all expenses, will be greatly reduced. Although
we anticipate spending some additional time at
a manufacturer’s facility under this new
schedule, the lessened disruption of quality and
production personnel on an annual basis will further
enhance yearly cost savings.
Adopting this latest OSHA policy change is a great
benefit to our customers. If you qualify for two
follow-ups per year, why should you pay for four?
We believe that this reduced schedule and significant
cost savings will help our customers remain competitive
in their respective markets.
Useful Guidelines:
Product Safety Guidelines - covers the more common problems;
1. Own the standard
- Obtain and maintain a current copy of all applicable product safety standards
- Read the standard
- Apply the standard during initial product design
2. Select proper components
- Use components that are properly third-party certified
Other NRTL certified parts usually meet this requirement
CE Marking and CB Certified components may require additional investigation and testing and special surveillance
- Obtain conditions of acceptability for critical components
- Use components within their ratings
- If custom uncertified components must be used have them assessed as early as possible
3. The enclosure
- Understand what is required of the enclosure: Does it need to provide mechanical protection? Electrical protection? Fire hazard protection?
-
Select materials that can meet the tests required by the standard
- If polymeric material is used know what characteristics are critical to its acceptability
- If conductive material is used then consider spacing from circuits as well
4. Openings in products
- Keep openings to a minimum
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Design ventilation or other openings to not only meet your service requirements but also to allow the product to maintain proper integrity and reduce risk of electrical shock, fire or mechanical hazard
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Avoid openings in the bottom but if necessary to have then be aware of requirements and tests that may be necessary
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Avoid openings in the top but if necessary to have then be aware of requirements and tests that may be necessary
5. Circuit separation/spacing
- Know how each different circuit will be classified as to potential hazard: Is it mains? SELV? TNV? Other?
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Know what is required for physical distances, thickness of insulation, type and amount of insulation
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Intended altitude of use can affect selection of requirements
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Properly assess the nature of the voltage involved when assessing spacing requirements: Is the voltage sinusoidal? Is it direct current? Are there repetitive peaks such as those typical in a switched-mode power supply?
-
Special requirements apply where conductive coatings may be used
6. Plastics and printed wiring boards
- Most plastics will be required to have at least a flame rating
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Know what is required for each plastic: HB? V0? 5V?
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Take into consideration the plastics use: Is it for the enclosure? Is it an insulator?
-
Special requirements apply to use of conductive coatings
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Same thing applies to printed wiring board materials
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Additional requirements may apply for printed wiring boards supporting hazardous energy
7. Radiation sources
- Products employing laser emitters are covered by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Part 1040, and the Canadian Radiation Emitting Devices Act, REDR C1370
-
There is some harmonization with IEC 60825-1 classifications
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Products producing ionizing radiation are covered by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Part 1020, and the Canadian Radiation Emitting Devices Act, REDR C1370
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There are often additional requirements for products that produce ultraviolet emissions too.
8. Outdoor products
- In the United States it is often necessary to apply the requirements of UL 50 and in Canada CSA C22.2 No. 94
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Additional requirements apply that are beyond IEC 60529 compliance declaration
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UL 50/CSA C22.2 No. 94 have requirements that include assessment of the plastics for UV exposure and of gaskets relied upon for ingress protection
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Where conductive coatings are used additional requirements may apply
9. Product markings and documentation
- Identify all required markings
Place them on the product as intended or generate drawings showing the marking text and where it will be placed:
– Electrical ratings
– Model and manufacture or trademark
– Safety warnings
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Installation instructions User/operating instructions
10. Preparing for surveillance
-
Prepare for at least two factory surveillance visits per year
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Be prepared to show that the product being labeled remains compliant
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Production line testing may be required; this usually includes electric strength testing and earthing continuity testing
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When you get the descriptive test report review it; this is what our inspectors use to conduct inspections
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