Toggle menu
  (800) 282-5600

Certification Markers

UL v.s. CSA and ETL: What Do They Mean? 

If you look on the label of any emergency light or exit sign purchased by EmergencyLight.net, you will see a stamped certification mark or logo such as UL, CSA, ETL and sometimes CE. Ever wonder these certifications actually mean?

These are stamps of approval from Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, who test and certify every electronic product that hits the market. Egress fixtures with these stamps undergo rigorous tests for electrical safety and electromagnetic emissions. You should never buy backup lighting unless it has a logo for the following acronyms:

UL: Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

CSA: Canadian Standards Association

ETL: Intertek Testing Services (formerly Edison Testing Laboratories)

If you are purchasing emergency backup lighting equipment, verify the certification marks match the code enforcement standards of your local authority. In the United States, the federal government, state legislature and OSHA recognize UL and ETL as the gold standard. However, certain cities may require one over the other.

Is UL Better than ETL?

The simple answer is no. Every Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory tests electronics to the same exact specifications. Don't take our word for it, check Interteks FAQ and find out for yourself. However, some inspectors and fire marshals  may arbitrarily prefer UL to ETL, simply because it is more ubiquitous. 

Every egress lighting product we display on EmergencyLight.net will bear the fixture's certification mark in the 'Specifications' graph and under 'Features'.

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)

Founded in 1894, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) has become the most widely known NRTL in the United States. Reputable manufacturers voluntarily test and certify their products with UL for the United States, Canada or both. 

UL Listed fixtures will bear one the following stamps on the box and housing:

  • UL: certified and tested for use in the United States.
  • cUL: certified and tested for use in Canada.
  • cULus: certified and tested for use in both the United States and Canada.

Many of our products are tested to various UL standards which qualify them for special conditions, including:

  • UL 924: Certified Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment
  • UL 1598: Suitable for Wet Locations
  • UL 1589A: Luminaires for Installation on Marine Vessels
  • UL844: Hazardous (Classified) Locations

ULs web site is at http://www.ul.com. Information about UL standards can be found at http://ulstandardsinfonet.ul.com.

Intertek Testing Services, formerly Edison Testing Laboratories (ETL) 

Originally founded by Thomas Edison in 1896, Edison Testing Laboratories (ETL) was re-established as Intertek Testing Services in 1996 and is recognized in over 100 countries. 

ETL Listed fixtures will bear one the following stamps on the box and housing:

  • ETL Listed: certified and tested for use in the United States.
  • cETL Listed: certified and tested for use in Canada.
  • cETLus: certified and tested for use in both the United States and Canada.

Since the UL brand is most widely recognized by code enforcement authorities, Intertek lists their standards to UL like so:

  • ETL Listed to UL 924: Certified Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment
  • ETL Listed to UL 1598: Suitable for Wet Locations
  • ETL Listed to UL 844: Hazardous (Classified) Locations

ETLs web site is at http://www.intertek.com/marks/etl/. Information about UL standards can be found at http://etlwhidirectory.etlsemko.com/WebClients/ITS/DLP/products.nsf/$$Search?OpenForm. 

Canadian Standards Association (CSA)

A nonprofit organization established in 1919, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certifies and tests products for use in Canada. Provincial law requires any electrical product that attaches to the power grid to meet or exceed CSA certification. So in most cases, you may substitute a product with a Canadian UL or ETL listing. 

CSA Listed fixtures will bear one the following stamps on the box and housing:

  • CSA: certified and tested for use in Canada.
  • CSAus: certified and tested for use in the United States.
  • cCSAus: certified and tested for use in both the United States and Canada.

CSAs web site is at http://www.csagroup.org/.