ETL Sanitation, UL EPH, and NSF Certification: What does it mean and why is it important?

When we are dealing with food safety, lighting products are not exempt. As a lighting manufacturer, we follow the food safety laws that are in place these days. There are several popular food equipment certifications that relate to both sanitation and safety such as ETL, UL, and NSF marks. These marks are recognized nationwide, and in some cases, worldwide.

ETL (Edison Testing Laboratories) Sanitation: It is a food safety program and certification process that is part of the elite group of third- party food equipment testers, NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories). ETL is operated by Intertek, a laboratory that conducts all necessary testing. ETL does not create safety standards, instead, they test products against the published standards of a list of NRTLs, including several states, federal, and global food safety mandates for both operational safety and sanitation.

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Listed EPH Classified:

UL certified equipment means that it meets the standards of soundness of design, electrical safety, and structural integrity set by UL. UL is also an NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories). UL Listed EPH is similar to NSF’s. If it shows the word “Classified” above the UL mark means the product complies with ANSI/NSF regulations for foodservice equipment.

NSF International (National Sanitation Foundation International):

The NSF certification is anchored in sanitation and safety for both restaurants and food processors. They are a nonprofit organization that develops and maintains public health standards and certification programs for foodservice equipment. NSF International is also an NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories) that testsmaterials, design, and performance. To be awarded an NSF mark, manufacturers must follow a stringent round of tests, either at an NSF site or at the manufacturer’s site. There is a seven-step process for the applicant to follow including an annual plant inspection and retesting. 7-Step process to apply for an NSF (National SanitationFoundation) International:

Application and information submission

Product evaluation

Product testing in lab

Manufacturing facility inspection, production confirmation and product sampling

Test results review and acceptance

Contract signed and products are listed

Annual plant inspection and retesting

To summarize, whether ETL, UL, or NSF certifications, they have some similarities with one another.

It means the equipment is protected against dust – No ingress of dust for 2 – 8hrs (IP6x) and resists immersion under water (IPx8). In this case, yes, it is a waterproof fixture.

- They are NRTLs (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories), meaning they have been federally certified as experts in sanitation and safety related to food equipment

- They all require the manufacturers to submit their products to undergo rigorous application processes and sometimes high upfront cost

- They are all accepted by the health inspectors as an approved certification for food preparation, sanitation, and safety during health inspections. This is extremely important to keep equipment operators and end consumers safe