ETL Certification

Overview

ETL certification is a product safety certification issued by Intertek. The ETL mark was originally created by Electrical Testing Laboratories and is now managed by the Intertek Group. ETL certification, like UL certification, is a recognized safety certification in the North American market, with testing standards based on US national standards (ANSI/UL) and Canadian national standards (CSA). The core advantages of ETL certification include shorter certification cycles, relatively lower costs, and the same NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) recognition by US OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Battery ETL certification is tested according to UL 1642 (lithium battery cells) and UL 2054 (battery packs) standards.

Applicable Products

Applicable Products and Service Categories

ETL battery certification is applicable to the following product typesLithium-ion battery cells and packs, lithium metal batteries, nickel-metal hydride battery packs, nickel-cadmium battery packs, alkaline battery packs, power banks, consumer electronics built-in batteries, IT equipment batteries, power tool batteries, and LED lighting backup batteries. The ETL certification mark has the same market recognition as UL certification in the US and Canadian markets and is an important choice for battery products entering North American retail channels.

Test Items and Standard Requirements

Technical Standards and Compliance Indicators

ETL battery certification testing is based on the same standards as UL certification

UL 1642 (Lithium Battery Cells)
Electrical Tests	Abnormal charging (3x maximum charging current), abusive over-discharge, room temperature short circuit (20°C), high temperature short circuit (60°C).
Mechanical Tests	Crush (13k N), impact (steel bar drop weight), vibration (10-55Hz three axes).
Environmental Tests	Temperature cycling (-40 to +70°C, 10 cycles), low pressure (11.6k Pa), heating test (130°C oven).
Combustion Test	Nominal combustion test.
UL 2054 (Battery Packs)
Electrical Tests	Short circuit test (room temp/high temp), abnormal charging, over-discharge, limited power test, forced discharge.
Mechanical Tests	Crush, impact, vibration, drop (1.0m).
Environmental Tests	Temperature cycling, low pressure, mold stress relief.
Fire Tests	Internal flame test, external flame test.

Test criteria are identical to UL certification, requiring batteries to not catch fire or explode.

ETL vs UL Comparison

ETL and UL certifications are technically identical; the differences are mainly

Certification Body	ETL is operated by Intertek; UL is operated by UL LLC.
Certification Cycle	ETL is typically 6-8 weeks; UL is typically 8-12 weeks.
Certification Cost	ETL costs are typically 30%-50% lower than UL.
Market Recognition	UL has slightly higher brand awareness, but both are fully equivalent at the regulatory level, both being NRTL recognized.
Factory Audit Frequency	ETL conducts 2 follow-up inspections per year; UL conducts 2-4 per year.
Mark Usage	ETL mark requires Intertek control number; UL mark requires UL file number.

Overall, ETL certification is a cost-effective alternative to UL certification.

Certification Process

Complete Process from Application to Certification

ETL Certification Process
Step 1	Submit application, providing product specification, circuit diagram, BOM, and other documents.
Step 2	Intertek engineers review technical documents and determine the testing plan and standards.
Step 3	Send samples to Intertek laboratory for full testing.
Step 4	After testing passes, Intertek conducts the first factory inspection.
Step 5	After factory inspection passes, ETL listing certificate is issued and ETL mark use is authorized.
Step 6	Annual follow-up service: Intertek conducts 2 factory follow-up inspections annually.

The ETL certification process is essentially the same as UL, but Intertek's customer service response is typically faster.

Required Documents and Notes

Required Documents and Materials for Application

The following documents are required for ETL certification application: Product specification (including battery chemistry system

Circuit schematic and PCB layout

Cell specification and existing certification information

Factory quality management system documents. Notes: ETL and UL certifications have identical standards, and their test reports can be mutually recognized (under specific conditions). If the battery cell has already passed UL 1642 certification, ETL's UL 2054 testing can reference existing data. ETL certification also requires annual follow-up service, and companies should budget for annual costs. The ETL mark is valid in both US and Canadian markets and can simultaneously obtain US and C marks. Intertek has multiple laboratories worldwide; choosing the one closest to the production site can reduce logistics time. ETL certification mark usage is strictly regulated; mark size and placement must comply with Intertek requirements.

Why Choose Anmai Testing for ETL Certification

Why Choose Anmai Testing

⚡

Fast Certification

ETL Certification Fast Track

🏆

Authoritative Qualification

ISO 17025 Accreditation

👨‍💼

Professional Team

Senior Engineers

💰

Transparent Pricing

No Hidden Fees

🌐

Global Coverage

One Report, Global Recognition

Need ETL Certification?

Professional Engineers Provide Free Assessment — Fast Certification

📞 Inquire Now 0769-81882726

ETL Certification

Free Consultation

Professional Testing

Document Processing

Fast Certification

Overview

Applicable Products

Test Items and Standard Requirements

ETL vs UL Comparison

Certification Process

Required Documents and Notes

Why Choose Anmai Testing for ETL Certification

Fast Certification

Authoritative Qualification

Professional Team

Transparent Pricing

Global Coverage

Need ETL Certification?