It’s good to know that the car you’re driving down the freeway, the plane on which you’re flying through turbulence, or even the computer you’re using to research local dining spots has been built and tested to operate safely. As consumers of goods and services, either at work or at home, we look for ways to confirm the reliability of our choices. This is where certifications and verifications can be important drivers of safety, along with the increased business.

Communicating quality or safety in the marketing of products is often done through the use of certification from an independent organization. Two good examples that are used for products with electronic content are UL (Underwriter Laboratories) and CSA (Canadian Standards Association).

UL is a U.S.-based organization that tests the safety and performance claims of products in various markets. It was founded in 1894 with backing from commercial insurance underwriters, hence its name. CSA is a Canada-based organization that verifies a product has been rigorously tested to meet applicable standards for safety and performance. At the urging of Britain, CSA was federally chartered in 1919 by Canada to create standards. UL and CSA marks or logos appearing on certified products worldwide, and for good reason.

National and international engineering standards are essentially bodies of knowledge developed to assure the consistent use of processes and products that lead to safe, effective, and predictable outcomes. Standards development organizations work with professionals from engineering, academic, and commercial backgrounds to develop consensus documents that guide the design, test, manufacturing, and operation of thousands of products and procedures used in consumer and industrial markets. 

Both UL and CSA review and test products to assure adherence to published standards, and offer verification that standard manufacturing procedures have been followed using materials that meet specifications. Thousands of companies include the UL and CSA marks on their products to show their compliance, and also to help market what they are selling.

UL and CSA certifications are not mandatory. They are not required by law. They may, however, be required in order to participate in a contract, win a bidding process, or receive a purchase order. They may also have an effect on insurance costs and claims. That’s why it is prudent to know about them and discuss them early in your product lifecycle planning.

Certifications are important, especially for products that encompass a public safety aspect, because they communicate adherence to accepted standards developed by professionals to help ensure product safety, performance, and reliability. It is safe to say that the UL mark is known by private and corporate consumers worldwide as an indicator of products that will safely function as expected. 

Organizations like UL and CSA either authorize a manufacturer to test a product themselves and then follow up regularly to assure that testing meets guidelines, or the certifying body tests the products in their own labs. In either case, there is a testing and audit process to go through which may be complicated. It is best to begin the certification discussion and process early in the design stage to allow for strict compliance with applicable standards and to save money on additional testing that may be required if a product needs changes.

Do You Need to Worry About Certifications?

In this case, the wrong question is being asked. You do not need to worry about certifications. But you do need to understand them, consider the appropriate ones for your product, and plan your process to meet the desired endpoint.

UL issues over 20 different certifications covering a wide range of products. CSA certifications help companies worldwide sell into the North American market. A quick review of these and other applicable certification organizations can give you an idea of the certifications you need to pursue and the steps that will need to be taken to complete the process.

Other Options

The product certification process can seem complicated due to the sheer number of certification organizations, many of which are small and country specific. The ones you choose to use will depend on how broadly you will be marketing your products, both by industry and by geographic market. In addition to UL and CSA, here are some other certification organizations you may want to interface with:

• CE – Conformite Europeene or European Conformity. Sets standards for electronic products in Europe (EU). The CE mark is not a certification, but an indication that the manufacturer conforms with accepted testing practices.
• IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission. Sets worldwide standards for electronic and electrical products.
• FCC – Federal Communications Commission. Certifies electromagnetic compatibility and interference requirements of products. 
• IC – Industry Canada. Equivalent to the FCC for certifications in Canada.

Summary

Product or process certification to published professional standards allows a company to align themselves and their products with industry best practices, show dedication to safety, and communicate product and process quality. While not legally necessary, certifications can add significant value to the life of a product. As an engineer, or purchasing professional, understanding the certification process as it relates to your product can be a critical asset.

Our friends at CircuitBread, an online presentation of the fundamentals of electronics, have posted information on the topic of certification as well. You can check out their take on this at: UL and CSA Certifications. What do they mean to me?