January 2015
Issue: Future Directives for Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory
Program
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In 2014, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a multi-year plan
to update and modernize its Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) program as a
result of a 2012 GAO report to Congressional Requesters titled, “OSHA’s Accreditation Process
Needs Reexamination.” Subsequently, OSHA held two meetings with NRTL program
stakeholders to explore potential changes to its policies and regulations. The focus of this
meeting was multi-faceted and included discussion on the role of the private sector to increase
the efficiency of the NRTL program, certification marks, factory inspections, field inspections, and
fees.
NEMA Members include industry
leaders and innovative small
businesses that manufacture
products used in the generation,
transmission and distribution,
control, and end-use of
electricity.

NEMA promotes safety,
innovation, interoperability,
environment, and market
enhancement through advocacy,
business information, and
standards for products, systems,
and technologies.

NEMA publishes over 600
standards, application guides,
white papers, and technical
papers.

NEMA responds to codes and
standards proposals of other
organizations in the U.S. and
around the world, facilitating the
development of international and
North American harmonized
standards.

NEMA was named in the Energy
Independence and Security Act
of 2007 to work with federal
agencies on efforts to enhance
the efficiency, sustainability, and
security of the electricity grid. As
part of this, NEMA has been
instrumental in the Smart Grid
Interoperability Panel (SGIP) and
the National Institute of
Standards and Technology
(NIST) Smart Grid Federal
Advisory Committee.
Did You Know?
Position: NEMA supports many of the changes proposed by the NRTL program to increase
efficiencies without reducing OSHA’s role in ensuring the safety of the equipment used in
American workplaces. Specifically, NEMA recommends the following changes:
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

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Separation of certification from testing functions within individual NRTLs
Standardized traceability of the NRTL mark to electrotechnical product safety standards
used to determine grant certification
Alignment of the NRTL Program Directive with ISO/IEC 17065 and ISO/IEC 17025
Implementation of a risk-based approach to factory inspections that would allow each
NRTL to determine how many follow-up inspections are merited, while mandating that
at least two (2) inspections per year be made
Importance: As a standards developing organization accredited by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI), NEMA is extremely active in the development of internationallyrecognized technical standards and guidelines. Our standards ensure electrical products are
consistent, safe, perform predictably, and are environmentally sound across geographic borders
and technical applications. We play a central role in the establishment and continued
maintenance of electrotechnical safety standards for products domestically, regionally, and
internationally.
Contact: Jonathan Stewart, jonathan.stewart@nema.org, 703-841-3245
NEMA is the association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, founded in 1926 and headquartered in Rosslyn,
Virginia. Nearly 400 members strong, its companies manufacture a diverse set of products including power transmission and
distribution equipment, lighting systems, factory automation and control systems, and medical imaging and radiation therapy systems.
Total U.S. shipments for electroindustry products exceed $100 billion annually.
© 2015 National Electrical Manufacturers Association ● www.NEMA.org ● 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 900 Rosslyn, Virginia, 22209 ● (703) 841-3200