What is ETL Certification and Why It Matters for Wilprep’s Kitchen Equipment

by Molly He Published on September 06, 2024Updated on November 25, 2024

“This Product is certified by ETL and compliant with UL standards.” If you have been interested in Wilpreps commercial refrigerators, or any other kitchen equipment from Wilprep, you have certainly come across this note. You might get the sense that certification makes a product special, and manufacturers are often extremely proud to achieve that mark. However, what does it mean? What makes a commercial refrigerator with ETL certification different from one without this certification? Read to the end because this concerns you as a customer.

WHAT IS ETL CERTIFICATION, AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The ETL certification is a mark that indicates a product has been tested and meets the necessary and applicable safety and performance standards. In other words, when companies like Wilprep say their products are ETL-certified, they mean that the products bearing the ETL mark have been tested and certified to meet specific safety and performance standards according to North American safety regulations.

These stringent regulations are put in place to protect the customer from negligence or unprofessionalism on the part of the manufacturer, which could potentially cause harm to them. ETL certification says the following about the product:

It is Approved: ETL certification means that the product meets the required safety standards as set by regulatory bodies, which in this case, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). The company did not just set up some casual procedure to deceive customers about the safety of their products.
It was Independently Tested: The ETL mark is proof that the product has been independently tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and meets relevant safety standards. In other words, the company had no influence over the results.
Globally Accepted as Safe: ETL certification is recognized across North America and in many other regions as a trusted mark for products entering the U.S., Canadian, and global markets.

SHOULD PRODUCT SAFETY CONCERN YOU?

In case of low quality or faults in the design of a product, the safety of consumers could be greatly affected. Consider a restaurant that uses a commercial refrigerator with an interior made of low-grade aluminum. Pieces of the substance get infused with the food, and the food safety of clients is severely compromised.

The same goes for faulty design, which could translate to risk in the kitchen. A poorly designed commercial food warmer may malfunction during use, putting workers and potentially even customers at risk. Given that a good number of products we buy are used by or in the presence of children and the elderly, this is not a risk anyone is willing to take.

It is for this reason that companies involved in the manufacture and/or sale of products in various industries, particularly those involving electrical, electronic, and mechanical components, take pride in being ETL certified.

THE PROCESS OF GETTING CERTIFIED： NOT JUST ANYONE CAN GET IT!

To establish product safety, all the features and components of the product are thoroughly tested and examined. The testing body takes it through rigorous processes to determine the probability of risk to consumers while it is being used, as well as the possibility of risks arising when the product is used in combination with other associated products.

For Wilpreps Kitchen equipment, including Refrigerators and freezers, Dishwashers, and ovens, Intertek offers energy efficiency testing programs, including the Energy Star Program and other testing programs for product quality and safety. The steps usually include the following:

Product Submission: Intertek demands that manufacturers submit their product prototypes for evaluation. The product must be fully functional and include all
Testing: The product undergoes rigorous testing according to specific safety standards. For Wilprep’s products, these tests include electrical safety tests, environmental tests, and performance evaluations.
Evaluation: Intertek engineers and technicians assess the test results to ensure the product complies with relevant standards.
Factory Inspection: At this stage, Intertek conducts an initial inspection of the manufacturer’s production facility. The objective is to ensure that the product will be produced consistently and in compliance with the certification standards.
Certification: Once the product passes all tests and inspections, it is granted ETL certification. The manufacturer can then apply the ETL mark to their products. Here is a photo of Wilprep’s certification.

Ongoing Compliance: The process does not conclude once certification is granted. Intertek performs regular inspections of the manufacturing facility to ensure that the product continues to meet safety standards over time.

CAN A PRODUCT REALLY BE 100% “SAFE”?

Practically speaking, it is impossible to eliminate all the probability of risk: risk is a part of everyday life. However, there is a minimum level of risk that can be deemed as acceptable for a product, taking into account the circumstances under which the product is normally expected to be used, or any reasonably foreseeable uses of said product.

So, product safety is all about ensuring that risk is minimized to the lowest acceptable level in everyday use.

The minimum acceptable level of risk for a car, for example, would be decided based on its use—personal or commercial—and the environment within which it will be operated. Other reasonable extra uses to which the car could be put, such as transporting family equipment or road trips during vacation, fall under the category of "reasonably foreseeable use."

WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN THE PRODUCT IS CERTIFIED?

Consistent Good Quality: ETL certification signifies that our refrigerators have been independently tested and meet the minimum requirements of prescribed product safety standards. In other words, it is unlikely that the product will harm you, your customers, or your family.
Your Safety Seal is Recognized: ETL is recognized both in the U.S. and Canada, similar to other marks like UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and CSA (Canadian Standards Association). In other words, customers and market actors all across North America recognize Wilprep’s refrigerator products as safe and reliable for use. There is no doubt.
Continual Monitoring: Products with the ETL mark are subject to periodic audits to ensure ongoing compliance with safety standards. Wilprep’s willingness to submit to continuous rigorous testing shows our willingness to continuously elevate and sustain customers’ user experience.
Market Acceptance: ETL certification is widely accepted by retailers, distributors, and consumers as proof of product safety and compliance with regulatory requirements.

IT MATTERS TO WILPREP

For Wilprep especially, this is not just a requirement that has to be met or a sales strategy. We hope to show that we care for our customers and genuinely want our products to bring them a better quality of life and peace of mind. By obtaining ETL certification, manufacturers demonstrate their commitment to safety, quality, and compliance with regulatory standards.