A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Listing and a Field Evaluation are two unique paths to the same destination: ensuring a product or piece of equipment is approved for use by the appropriate authorities.
However, the scope of approval, the
authorities involved, and the approval process differ between the two. Here are
some key differences between NRTL Listing and Field Evaluation:
Ongoing approval vs. one-time
approval
An NRTL Listing is an ongoing approval that lasts as long as the certification is valid. As long as the approved specifications continue to be met, the manufacturer can apply the relevant label to all equivalent products for as long as the certification is valid.
A Field Evaluation, on the other hand, is a
one-time approval for one system or piece of equipment. A Field Evaluation may
be requested by an electrical inspector or other Authority Having Jurisdiction
(AHJ) due to the equipment failing inspection, being modified, or moving to a
new location. If the requirements of the Field Evaluation are met, the Field Evaluation
Body (FEB) will apply the label to that specific system or piece of equipment.
Factory-level approval vs.
installation-level approval
NRTL Listing applies to all equivalent products that meet the approved specifications manufactured at that facility. For some types of products, recurring factory inspections are required to maintain the NRTL Listing; because NRTL Listing is a factory-level approval, these inspections ensure that the facility is still operating in the approved manner.
A Field Evaluation, however, applies to one
specific installation. The Field Evaluation Body will inspect the equipment
on-site and—if successful—issue an approval, often in the form of a field label. This label does not apply to any
other installation, location, or any other products manufactured in that
facility; it only applies to the inspected equipment at that specific site.
NRTL vs. FEB
NRTL Listing is granted by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. The manufacturer can choose any NRTL that is accredited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to carry out the evaluation process. UL, TUV, and CSA are well-known options for NRTL approval.
A Field Evaluation is conducted by a Field
Evaluation Body (FEB), an organization that is authorized to evaluate products
according to relevant standards. The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) must
approve the FEB used, so it is best to choose an FEB that is accredited by a
recognized organization like the International Accreditation Service (IAS).
Process
There are similarities in the NRTL Listing and Field Evaluation processes, but there are also some notable differences:
Obtaining an NRTL Listing requires selecting an OSHA-accredited NRTL; testing the product at an approved lab; the NRTL producing a detailed test report; the manufacturer correcting any issues identified in the test report; and, if successful, applying the relevant certification label at the factory. In some cases, ongoing factory inspections are required.
The Field Evaluation process involves choosing
an FEB; ensuring the AHJ approves the FEB; testing the equipment in the field;
the FEB creating a test report; and applying the field label to the equipment.
Contact G&M Compliance for
more information
Whether it’s NRTL Listing or Field Evaluation,
choosing the right path can save you precious time, money, and stress. A Field
Evaluation is often quicker and more cost-effective, but it has a smaller, more
specific scope; an NRTL Listing is more time-consuming and expensive, but it
may provide a better long-term value if you continue to produce the same
products under the same specifications.
Contact
G&M Compliance to learn more about the field evaluation process
for your product, or request a quote today!