A field evaluation and a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory listing are two different ways of demonstrating compliance with relevant safety and performance standards—but what makes them different?
There are some key differences to consider
when it comes to process, timeline, cost, situation and product fit. Choose
wisely, and consult a product compliance expert if you are unsure about the
best fit for your use case.
Overview of field evaluations
A field evaluation is an approval that takes place at the installation level for one system or piece of equipment. This evaluation takes place at the installation site, and it is only used when there is not an active NRTL listing covering the equipment’s use. If the field evaluation is successful, the Field Evaluation Body will apply the field label to the product in the field, often a factory or other manufacturing facility.
Getting product approval via a field
evaluation requires:
- Selecting a
Field Evaluation Body (FEB) that is recognized by the authority requesting
the evaluation (the Authority Having Jurisdiction, aka AHJ)
- The FEB
testing the product in the field according to conditions at the
installation site
- The FEB produces a thorough report and applies the Field Label if the product passes inspection
A field evaluation may be triggered by a
request or even a “red tag” from a city inspector, utility, or other government
agency. Field labeling may also be appropriate when the equipment is modified
from its original specifications, or when it is installed in a different
regulatory jurisdiction than where it was manufactured.
Overview of NRTL listing
A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) listing, on the other hand, is a factory-level certification that applies to all equivalent products manufactured in that facility. The NRTL listing is an ongoing approval that applies for as long as the certification is valid (and as long as the products continue to be produced according to the certified specifications). The final outcome of a successful NRTL listing is that the manufacturer can now apply the label to the equivalent products manufactured in the facility.
Obtaining an NRTL listing is a different
process from a field evaluation. The NRTL listing process typically follows
these steps:
- Selecting an
NRTL that is accredited by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA)
- Testing the
product at an approved laboratory facility (such as UL, TUV, or CSA) under
all foreseeable conditions
- The NRTL
produces a detailed test report and approves the product for certification
or describes the reason for failure
- From that
point, the certification label must be applied to the product at the
factory, and regular factory inspections may be required
Choosing the Correct Approach for
Your Situation
An NRTL listing is a more proactive, long-lasting type of certification than a field evaluation—but it is also more time-consuming and costly. Therefore, in some circumstances, it is more strategic to pursue a field evaluation than it is an NRTL listing; for example, field evaluations are often best for specialized, large, or complex products, like a piece of large, one-of-a-kind factory equipment.
Contact
G&M Compliance today to discuss the best options for your
product!