For a buyer, there is no difference in standing. UL and ETL are both certification marks of laboratories recognised under OSHA’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) program, and a charger listed by either has been certified to the applicable safety standard. The one real difference sits behind the marks: UL also writes many of the standards, while Intertek — the laboratory behind the ETL mark — tests products to standards written by others. That is why an ETL listing for a charger so often reads “listed to UL 2594”.
Key Takeaways
- UL and ETL listings have the same standing: both marks belong to OSHA-recognised NRTLs.
- The structural difference: UL also writes the standards; Intertek tests to others’ standards.
- An ETL listing “to UL 2594” is normal paperwork, not a lesser grade.
- Verify the exact model in the issuing laboratory’s directory and the standard on its certificate.
Two Organisations, Two Different Jobs
The confusion starts with the name UL doing two jobs. One part of the UL organisation develops and publishes safety standards — UL 2594, the main standard for EV supply equipment, is its document. Another part works as an NRTL: it tests products against published standards and authorises its UL mark on those that pass. So UL can appear on a certificate twice, as the standard’s author and as the testing laboratory.
Intertek does one of those jobs. It is a testing and certification company, and the ETL mark is its NRTL certification mark. Intertek does not publish UL 2594 — it tests chargers against it, and against other bodies’ standards where a market calls for them. OSHA’s NRTL program page lists the recognised laboratories; both organisations are on it.
| Point | UL | ETL (Intertek) |
|---|---|---|
| Whose mark is it? | UL’s own certification mark | Intertek’s certification mark |
| Writes safety standards? | Yes — including UL 2594 for EV supply equipment | No — tests to standards published by others |
| Tests and lists products? | Yes, as an NRTL | Yes, as an NRTL |
| Standing of a listing | NRTL certification to the named standard | The same kind of artefact |
Why an ETL Certificate Names a UL Standard
A standard and a laboratory are separate layers. A standard is a published document any accredited laboratory can test against; a listing is one laboratory’s certification that a specific product met it. So “ETL listed to UL 2594” is not a mix-up or a lesser grade — it is the normal shape of the paperwork when the laboratory is not the standard’s author.
The certificate shows the layers: it names the standard and its edition, the exact model and ratings covered, and the certificate holder. Ask for it before you buy, and read those fields rather than the logo. The reverse trap is worth one line: a seller’s claim that a product was “tested to UL standards”, with no NRTL listing behind it, is not a listing at all. Our guide to how NRTL certification works covers the full process.
What the Difference Does Not Change
- Verification works the same way. Look the exact model up in the directory of the laboratory whose mark is on the unit.
- The listing covers one configuration. A different rating, plug or cable can sit outside the file — for private-label orders, check who owns the certificate.
- Neither mark is a government approval. OSHA recognises the laboratories; it does not approve chargers. Follow-up inspections apply to both.
The Marks on EVDANCE Products
The EV-ACT5006T 48A Level 2 wall charger (up to 48 A, NACS, 25 ft cable, IP65/IP66) states ETL, FCC and CE on its product page. Its ETL mark is Intertek’s, and the certificate behind it names the standard the model was listed to — request it for the exact configuration you plan to install or resell. Marks are per model, not per brand: the EV-ACS3210T 32A NACS portable charger (about 7.7 kW, IP66) states no NRTL mark on its page. Check each product page, and where a mark matters for your inspector or retailer, get the paperwork confirmed through our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an ETL listing as good as a UL listing for an EV charger?
Yes, in the only sense that counts: both are NRTL certifications. What matters is the standard named on the certificate, the exact model covered and the listing being current — not which laboratory’s logo is on the housing.
Can an electrical inspector accept an ETL-listed charger?
Yes. Listing by an OSHA-recognised NRTL is what the inspection framework asks for, and ETL is one of those marks — inspectors are not limited to the UL mark.
Does every ETL listing use a UL standard?
No. Intertek tests to several publishers’ standards. UL standards are common in the US because UL wrote the EV charging standards most buyers specify, but the certificate tells you which standard a given listing used.
Related Reading
- UL and ETL Listing for EV Chargers: How NRTL Certification Works
- EV Charger Certifications Explained: CE, UKCA, UL, ETL, CB and What Buyers Should Ask For
- Who Owns the Certificate in a Private-Label EV Charger?
- How to Read an EV Charger Datasheet: A Buyer’s Guide
