All right, let's get specific here and actually use some names! UL has a Mutual Recognition Agreement with CSA to accept each other's test reports. This agreement also specifies details about how they conduct the various tests (it used to be that earth leakage current measurements were performed differently by the two agencies). The agreement also allows them to "harmonize" standards, and many have been harmonized since the MRA was first signed. Where the standards still differ, my understanding is that both UL and CSA will perform both sets of test to satisfy both agencies' requirements.
I am not aware that MRAs exist between the different NRTLs. And how is one NRTL going to know whether the test procedures are the same between the different NRTLs? In other words, there is no allegiance between them. And yes, they do compete. But so did UL and CSA, but now they sing the same tune. Any NRTL mark is good, per OSHA and the U.S. NEC, for end-use product. But if you are incorporating components and other equipment into your systems, you need to specify your expectations when you purchase parts. We specify X NRTL and we get that. Tania Grant, [email protected] Lucent Technologies, Switching Solutions Group Intelligent Network and Messaging Solutions -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [ mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 3:58 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Got another beef about an NRTL.... Group, What about another scenario that I have been in with two NRTL's. For the sake of embarrassment,lets call them 'NRTL A' and 'NRTL B' Firstly any components or equipment recognised or listed by an NRTL are deemed 'acceptable' to OSHA so long as it is used as prescribed in its conditions of acceptability or use. so can I presume that as OSHA accepts any NRTL mark they are all of equal standing. Why is it then that NRTL A will not accept a power supply approved by NRTL B. The latter is true for NRTL B who will accept NRTL A's mark with no problems (in all cases the conditions of acceptability are followed) So long as the conditions of acceptability are followed and there are no engineering reasons for NRTL A to reject NRTL B's approval then what happens next. Is there any recourse or would we have to go to one NRTL and get the whole lot retested. If there is no engineering reason, can an NRTL reject anothers recognition just because it distlikes it or maybe sees it as competition! Has anyone else had a similar experience, if so what did you do to resolve it without paying out for more NRTL approvals on an already recognised component. Any comments would be greatly recieved. Regards, Duncan Hobbs, Product Safety Engineer Snell and Wilcox Ltd. ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Jim Bacher: [email protected] Michael Garretson: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Jim Bacher: [email protected] Michael Garretson: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected]
