Overview

The NRTL Program

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) program recognizes private sector organizations to perform certification for certain products to ensure that they meet the requirements of both the construction and general industry OSHA standards. Each NRTL has a scope of test standards that they are recognized for, and each NRTL uses its own unique registered certification mark(s) to designate product conformance to the applicable product safety test standards. After certifying a product, the NRTL authorizes the manufacturer to apply a registered certification mark to the product. If the certification is done under the NRTL program, this mark signifies that the NRTL tested and certified the product, and that the product complies with the requirements of one or more appropriate product safety test standards.

Product Categories

OSHA requires testing for certain products in its standards found in Part 1910 of Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR Part 1910) (see specific references). Thirty-nine broad categories of products are covered, including:

• Electrical equipment
• Fire detecting and extinguishing equipment
• LPG gas utilization equipment
• Equipment used in potentially hazardous (classified) locations

The Meaning of Product Certification

A product certified by a NRTL has met consensus-based standards for safety. Users of that product are thereby assured that the certifying NRTL monitors the product and the process of its manufacture for quality assurance. The NRTL Program, in turn, assures that the organizations certifying the safety of the products are qualified to do so.

Eligibility

A NRTL is a private-sector organization that OSHA has recognized as meeting the legal requirements in 29 CFR 1910.7 to perform testing and certification of products using consensus based test standards. These requirements are:

• The capability to test and evaluate equipment for conformance with appropriate test standards;
• Adequate controls for the identification of certified products, conducting follow-up inspections of actual production;
• Complete independence from users (i.e., employers subject to the tested equipment requirements) and from any manufacturers or vendors of the certified products; and
• Effective procedures for producing its findings and for handling complaints and disputes

An organization must have the necessary capability both as a product safety testing laboratory and as a product certification body to receive OSHA recognition as an NRTL.

Program Regulations, Policies, and Procedures

Program requirements and criteria are explained in OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.7 and the NRTL Program Directive.

Confidentiality

The name of an applicant seeking recognition becomes public information at the time OSHA publicly announces its preliminary finding on an application by publishing a FR notice. OSHA posts the application online at www.regulations.gov in the NRTL's docket. Supporting information submitted with, or in support of, an application will remain confidential only to the extent required by law. For more information, see 29 CFR Part 70, "Production and Disclosure of Information or Materials."

Information

If you have questions about the NRTL Program or these guidelines, or would like to receive more information or guidance in completing an application, please call 202-693-2110 or email nrtlprogram@dol.gov.

Send completed applications, amendments to applications, or other correspondence to:

• Director
• Office of Technical Programs and Coordination Activities
• NRTL Program
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• US Department of Labor
• 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N3653
• Washington, DC 20210

On the Web

Application and general information is available by selecting "A to Z Index" or searching for "NRTL" on https://www.osha.gov.

How OSHA Processes an NRTL Application

NRTL Program regulations (29 CFR 1910.7) require that organizations applying for an initial recognition by OSHA as an NRTL, or for an expansion or a renewal of its recognition provide sufficient information and detail in its application to demonstrate that it meets the requirements and criteria for recognition, expansion, or renewal. The NRTL Program Directive provides details for the review, determination, and evaluation of the qualifications of the organization applying for recognition under the Program. The applicant is not required, but is strongly encouraged, to submit all the information requested in the formats shown in Annex D of the NRTL Program Directive.

When an organization submits its application materials, OSHA staff thoroughly reviews those materials for completeness and adequacy. For applications from foreign-based organizations, OSHA must consider the "reciprocity" of the foreign government (as described in I.A of Appendix A in 29 CFR 1910.7). When the NRTL Program staff determines that the application is complete and adequate, the staff perform an in-depth on-site review of the applicant's organization, programs, and facilities.

Based upon the information obtained during the application review and the on-site review, OSHA will make a preliminary finding on the application. OSHA publishes a notice of this finding in the Federal Register to allow for public comment. Following a 30day comment period, OSHA must publish a final decision and response to comments in the Federal Register. Publication makes the recognition official for successful applicants and officially denies the recognition for unsuccessful applicants. A formal notification from the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, the head of OSHA, is sent to successful applicants. The specific scope of recognition is set forth in this formal notification as well as in the final Federal Register Notice.

Instructions for Completing the NRTL Application

Applicants shall submit the information requested in the appropriate sections of Annex D of the NRTL Program Directive along with any supporting information that would allow OSHA to determine if the applicant has the capability to operate as a NRTL.

Expansion and renewal of recognition

• After receiving its recognition, a NRTL may submit requests to expand its scope of recognition to include additional standards or sites Also, at the end of the initial five-year recognition period, a NRTL must request a renewal of its recognition. Expansions and renewals may be requested following the process outlined in Chapter 2 of the NRTL Program Directive.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Program Regulations, Policies, and Procedures

The application shall be prepared in compliance with the Program regulations (29 CFR 1910.7) and the Program regulations, policies, and procedures (NRTL Program Directive).

Program Fees

NRTL Program Fee Schedule –– Revised October 19, 2019

SUBMITTING PAYMENTS

Submit the full amount due for the application or for payment of any invoice received from OSHA. All fees must be paid in U.S. dollars by check or money order that is drawn on a U.S.-based institution and made payable to "DOL-OSHA." Mail check or money order, along with any remittance portion of any invoice received, to:

• Director, OTPCA
• U.S Department of Labor - OSHA
• Room N3655
• 200 Constitution Avenue, NW
• Washington, DC 20210

Electronic Payments may also be made via Pay.gov. To request a pay.gov account to make electronic payments, please email nrtlprogram@dol.gov.