“ETL Listed” and “UL Listed”: both appear on product labels, packaging, and spec sheets. Both are associated with safety testing, and at first glance, they may look interchangeable. But what do they actually mean, and is one better than the other? Which one should you be looking out for?
Understanding these certifications helps you make safer, more confident buying decisions for yourself, your children, and your household. Let’s break it down clearly and practically.
1. What Does “ETL Listed” Mean?
The label “ETL Listed” indicates that a product has been independently and impartially tested and certified to meet specific safety standards. The ETL mark confirms that the product meets established electrical, mechanical, and safety requirements.
What this means, in plain terms, is that if a product is ETL Listed, it has passed safety testing-not just a manufacturer’s internal checks, but also third-party verification.
Who Is Behind ETL?
To understand why the ETL Listed mark is regarded as credible, it is important to understand the organisation behind it.
ETL means Electric Testing Laboratories, and is a certification mark operated by Intertek Solutions, which is a global testing, inspection, and certification organization. Intertek has been around for over a century and operates testing laboratories all over the world.
Intertek’s objective with ETL listing is simple:
- Verify that products meet recognized safety standards
- Ensure ongoing compliance through audits and inspections
- Provide a credible alternative to other safety certifications
What Types of Products Are ETL Listed?
You’ll often see ETL marks on consumer electronics and commercial equipment alike. In fact, ETL Listing applies to a wide range of products, both for household and commercial use. These include:
- Household appliances
- Electrical tools and equipment
- Lighting fixtures
- Power supplies and chargers
- HVAC equipment
- Commercial and industrial electrical devices
What Testing Process Do ETL-Listed Products Go Through?
To attain ETL certification, a product goes through a variety of safety checks, which may vary depending on the type of product. However, the ETL testing process generally involves these three stages:
- Product evaluation and testing against applicable safety standards (often UL, ANSI, or CSA standards)
- Factory inspection to confirm consistent manufacturing processes
- Ongoing compliance audits to ensure products continue meeting requirements
ETL doesn’t just test a one-off sample: it verifies that production remains consistent over time.
How Credible Is ETL, and Where Is It Recognized?
ETL is highly credible and legally equivalent to UL in North America and is even recognized in many international markets through Intertek’s global reach.
In terms of recognition, ETL is recognized by the following:
- OSHA-recognized in the United States as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
- It is also fully accepted by local inspectors and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) in the U.S. and Canada
For buyers, ETL Listing means the product meets recognized safety standards, it has been independently tested by a reputable third party, it is suitable for legal sale in regulated markets, and the risk of electrical hazards, fire, or mechanical failure is reduced
2. What Does UL-Listed" Mean?
UL is often the most familiar safety mark to consumers, especially in the U.S. UL Listed means a product has been tested and certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and has been found to comply with applicable safety standards. If a product is UL Listed, it has passed UL’s safety evaluation for its intended use.
Who Is Behind UL?
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a U.S.-based safety science organization founded in 1894. It has played a major role in shaping electrical and fire safety standards for over a century, and its main objectives are to reduce safety risks in homes and workspaces and promote safer product design worldwide.
UL is widely accepted in the U.S., Canada, and many international markets as being credible, and is often specified explicitly in building codes, insurance requirements, and procurement policies
What Products Are UL Listed?
UL Listing applies to a broad range of products, including:
- Electrical appliances
- Power cords and outlets
- Lighting products
- Children’s electronics
- Industrial machinery
- Fire and safety equipment
IUL’s long history gives it strong brand recognition and trust among consumers.
What Process Do UL-Listed Products Go Through?
UL is known for its strict documentation, testing protocols, and long-standing safety benchmarks. The UL Listing process typically includes:
- Detailed product testing based on UL-developed safety standards
- Assessment of materials, construction, and performance
- Factory inspections before and after certification
- Ongoing follow-up services to ensure continued compliance
UL Listing assures buyers that the product meets established safety standards, has been tested by one of the most recognized safety organizations, and is suitable for residential or commercial use as intended.
3. ETL Listed vs UL Listed: Key Differences
| Feature | ETL Listed | UL Listed |
| Certifying Organization | Intertek | Underwriters Laboratories (UL) |
| Recognition in the U.S. | Fully recognized (OSHA NRTL) | Fully recognized (OSHA NRTL) |
| Recognition in Canada | Yes | Yes |
| Safety Standards Used | UL, ANSI, CSA, and others | Primarily UL-developed standards |
| Testing Rigor | Equivalent to UL | Equivalent to ETL |
| Factory Inspections | Yes | Yes |
| Brand Recognition | Strong (especially B2B) | Very strong (consumer-facing) |
| Legal Acceptance | Equal to UL | Equal to ETL |
| Cost and Speed (for manufacturers) | Often more flexible | Often more traditional |
From a safety and legal standpoint, ETL Listed and UL Listed are equivalent when applied correctly.
4. Why Safety Certification Is Critical for Commercial Kitchen Equipment
In a commercial kitchen, safety isn’t optional: it’s foundational. Unlike household appliances, commercial kitchen equipment operates longer hours, under heavier loads, and in higher-risk environments.
That’s especially true for commercial refrigerators, which run 24/7 and play a direct role in food safety, fire prevention, and employee protection.
This is exactly why third-party safety certifications like ETL Listed and UL Listed matter so much in professional kitchens.
5. Why Commercial Refrigerators Must Be Certified
A commercial refrigerator absolutely requires certification, not only because it is an electric appliance, but because it combines components like high-powered compressors, temperature control systems, and insulation and wiring near food and moisture.
Without proper testing, these factors can increase the risk of electrical fires, compressor failure, unsafe temperature fluctuations that lead to food spoilage, and failed health inspections or insurance issues. Certified equipment dramatically reduces these risks.
When a commercial refrigerator is ETL or UL listed, it tells buyers, inspectors, and insurers that:
- The electrical system has been tested for safety
- The unit meets recognized commercial-use standards
- The refrigerator is suitable for continuous operation
- The product has passed third-party verification, but the manufacturer claims
For restaurant owners, café operators, food trucks, and commercial kitchens, that assurance is not just helpful, it’s often required.
Why Wilprep Kitchen’s Certified Refrigerators Inspire Confidence
Wilprep Kitchen’s commercial refrigerators are already ETL Listed, meaning they have passed independent safety testing, met recognized commercial electrical standards, and qualified for use in professional kitchen environments
ETL Listing alone already places Wilprep refrigerators on equal safety footing with many leading commercial brands.
What further strengthens buyer confidence is Wilprep Kitchen’s commitment to going a step further. With UL Listing planned for 2026, Wilprep is reinforcing a long-term dedication to:
- Product safety
- Regulatory compliance
- Continuous improvement
- Customer trust
This dual-certification trajectory sends a clear message:
Wilprep Kitchen isn’t just focused on selling equipment; it’s focused on building safe, dependable, inspection-ready products that commercial kitchens can rely on for years. For customers, Wilprep Kitchen’s approach means:
- You’re buying equipment that meets recognized safety standards today
- You’re investing in a brand committed to even higher validation tomorrow
- You reduce risk for your staff, food, and business
- You gain peace of mind when inspections, audits, or insurance questions arise
In commercial kitchens, trust is earned through proof, not promises. Safety certifications provide that proof, and Wilprep Kitchen’s ETL-listed (and soon UL-listed) commercial refrigerators demonstrate a level of product safety that you can feel confident bringing into your kitchen.
Explore more on the importance of certification in commercial kitchens and Wilprep's journey towards UL Certification.
