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Product Certification in Canada

May 30, 2011

Joe Gryn, P. Eng. Director, IEC Conformity Assessment SystemsUnderwriters Laboratories of Canada

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Overview of Contents

• About ULC and UL• Regulatory Framework in Canada • Non-mandatory Certification • Product Certification Process• Choosing a Certification Body• Applying for Certification

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About ULC• Established in 1920 to serve the needs of

insurance companies (underwriters)• Private sector, independent organization• A subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

(UL)• ULC operation is overseen by a Board of

Directors • Carries out certification work for both Canadian

and US markets• Leader in Canada in product certification and

standards development in ULC specialty fields

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About UL • Founded in 1894 as the Underwriters’ Electrical

Bureau to serve concerns of insurance underwriters

• Independent, non-governmental organization dedicated to testing for public safety

• 73 facilities worldwide are part UL family of companies

• Over 7000 staff worldwide• Close to 90,000 product evaluations performed

annually on more than 19,500 different types of products

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ULC Product CategoriesField Types of Products Building and Construction Materials (Fire Resistance)

Roofing, walls, floors, fire doors and windows, insulation, plastics, textiles, furniture, mattresses, concrete masonry, paints

Electrical Equipment (Safety and EMC)

Medical devices, office equipment, consumer electronics, household appliances, HVAC, lighting and industrial products

Signalling and Security Equipment (Performance)

Fire alarms, detectors, fire alarm controls, hospital signalling equipment

Fire Suppression and Fire-Fighting Equipment (Performance)

Sprinklers and sprinkler piping, fire extinguishers, fire pumps, valves and nozzles

Personal Protective Equipment (Performance)

Protective clothing for fire-fighting and handling of hazardous materials, safety rope and equipment for emergency services

Tanks and Piping for Flammable Fluids (Performance)

Tanks, tank linings, hoses, nozzles and valves

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ULC Accreditations

Canada• Certification Body (ISO/IEC Guide 65) - SCC• Testing Organization (ISO/IEC 17025) - SCC

US Market• ANSI – accreditation as a testing and

certification organization (UL program)• IAS – testing laboratory for building materials• OSHA NRTL – Nationally Recognized Testing

Laboratory (UL program)

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Canadian Regulatory Framework

Developing Standards NATIONAL

PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL

LOCAL

Mandating/Regulating

Enforcing

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Canadian Regulatory Framework“Regulated Products”• Provinces and Territories in Canada have full

jurisdiction over the safety of building, electrical, plumbing, gas and other types of products

• Each Province and Territory has own legislation that provides a framework for controlling the installation and use of regulated products

• Each jurisdiction has its own approach and level of resources for approving and monitoring products in the marketplace

• All Provincial and Territorial authorities cooperate in ensuring consistent requirements across Canada

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Canadian Regulatory Framework

Product Category Regulatory Responsibility MandatoryCertification

Building Products Provinces and Territories (Proof of Compliance)

Electrical Safety Provinces and TerritoriesEMC Federal – Industry Canada (Accredited testing)

Signal and Security Provinces and TerritoriesFire Fighting Provinces and TerritoriesProtective Equipment Provinces and Territories

Tanks and Piping for Flammable Fluids

Provinces and Territories

Plumbing Provinces and TerritoriesGas and Fuels Provinces and Territories

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Canadian Regulatory Framework• Regulated products that require certification

must display a mark of SCC-accredited Certification Body

• Other Certification Bodies accredited in Canada include:

UL, ITS Canada, CSA, CGSB, • Provincial and Territorial regulations typically

allow some alternative methods for acceptance of small product quantities of regulated products

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Non-mandatory Certification • Regulated building product for which certification

is not mandatory require evidence of ongoing compliance with codes and standards

Each batch of product has to be validatedProduct certification is the most cost-effective method of providing evidence of compliance

• Certification of unregulated products is also possible but must be considered based on the following factors

Customer requirement Competitive reasonsAvailability of such a service from a certification body

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What is Product Certification?

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3rd Party Certification System

The role of a Certification Body entails:• Performing initial product testing and ongoing

product and factory inspection•Providing a certification mark that will appear on products• Providing training on technical requirements to

industry and regulatory authorities•Responding to product issues on the market

Working with regulators and with manufacturers to maintain a safe marketplace

•Maintaining independence and impartiality

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Elements of the Certification Process• Examination and testing of product• Initial factory evaluation• Granting certification and signing a certification agreement• Providing a Mark of Conformity

Authorization to use ULC or UL Listing Mark on productsManufacturer and product Listed in a published List of Materials and Equipment

• Follow-Up Service On-site factory inspections required for certificationInspections include:o Construction examinationo Parts/material verificationo Factory testing o Sampling for product retesting o Production process verification

Retesting of selected products

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Factory Follow Up ServicesA ULC field representative will also:• Verify compliance to follow-up inspection requirements• Document the manufacturer’s use of ULC certification

markings• Document results of test performed during the visit• Document any observed non-conformances• Offer guidance to the manufacturer and assist in

contacting ULC engineering staff to help with the resolution of non-conformances

• Select Follow-Up Samples and provide mailing instructions to the manufacturer when instructed by the Follow-Up Services Procedure

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ULC/UL Application Process

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Choosing a Certification BodyThe following criteria are suggested for selection of a certification body in Canada (and around the world):• Range of services offered and products covered • Relevant accreditations held• Regulatory and market recognition across the

country • Ability to facilitate access to other markets • Global presence – local offices and testing labs

close to manufacturing locations

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Working with a Certification BodyShould manufacturer apply for certification directly or via local importer in Canada?• ULC/UL have global presence• Easier to communicate in local language and same

time zone• Use of local labs reduces product shipping costs• UL/ULC provide one-stop services for multiple markets• Manufacturer signs product certification agreement • Follow-up inspections are carried out at the factoryUltimately, it comes down to the ability to obtain a

local service

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Thank you for your attention

Any questions?