UL, ETL and FCC: What are the Differences?

When you get a new product, you would see a label with logos such as UL, ETL, FCC and etc. Many people are just confused at the first sight of them and a number of questions bubble up. What on earth do they mean? What are the differences among them? Is any one superior than the others?

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In general, they all mean that a product is approved by the National Recognized Testing Laboratory, and conforms to strict standards for electricity safety. The acronyms are spelled out below:

UL: Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

ETL: Originally a mark of ETL Testing Laboratories, now a mark of Intertek Testing Services

FCC: Federal Communications Commission

Although these logos share the same meaning that a certified product has passed certain safety standard, there are still many differences. Let me take HOLSEM products as an example and explain. If you look at the back panel of a HOLSEM product, you will see a well-marked certification label with logos such as UL, ETL, FCC and etc.

UL is the safety standard issued by Underwriters Laboratories Inc., a civilian institution that is the most authoritative in America and also one of the world’s largest in safety test and authentication. It has developed more than 800 standards for testing safety degrees on material, equipment, products and architecture to ensure health safety and property safety. If a product is UL listed, you will know it has passed UL’s rigorous tests for safety requirements. But nowadays, UL is only used in a limited range and gradually loses its influence.

ETL (from The Electrical Testing Laboratories), compared to UL, is now the most reputable standard for high quality products and has more rigorous requirements than UL. Tracing its origins to Intertek, ETL is used to inspect and certify electrical products to ensure their standards of safety requirements. Products that bear this mark meet the safety requirements. It also indicates that the manufacturers obey regular inspection rules to safety measures. If a product is ETL certified, you will know it has passed ETL’s tests for electrical safety.

FCC, different from UL and ETL, it mainly deals with the regulations on human’s exposure to radio-frequency field. Federal Communications Commission is an independent institution of the American government, directly responsible for the congress. By regulating the wireless, television, telecommunication, satellite and cable, it coordinates domestic and international communication and takes charge of the certifying and managing of radio frequency transmission device and facility excerpt the federal government’s employment. . If a product is FCC certified, you will know it has passed FCC’s frequency test and would be safe for daily use.

Now, after this brief explanation, we would have a general understanding for these logos. If a product is labeled with logos such as UL, ETL, FCC and etc., it would be safe and reliable to use. HOLSEM products, including serge protectors, air fryers, USB cables and others, have passed these safety standards and are safe for daily use. We strive to provide the best customer experience by providing customers with high quality products and beautiful designs. Your safety is always our priority.