The TÜV Rheinland Solution: US Certifications
General
 Testing and certification agencies providing a certification
mark for the US must be accredited by OSHA as an NRTL (Nationally Recognized
Testing Laboratory) for the products they certify and must be accepted by local
authorities throughout the US. This accreditation and process is the same for
all agencies and places the TÜV Rheinland US certification mark at the same
level as other US NRTL's (UL, CSA, etc.).
TÜV Rheinland of North America is accredited to Certify and Test Products to
American ANSI/UL Standards. TÜV Rheinlands scope of accreditation includes:
office equipment, information technology, business machines, audio/video
equipment, household electronics, laboratory equipment, medical equipment,
testing and measuring devices, control equipment, and more.
Technical Information
Frequency: 60Hz
Voltage - 1 ø: 120V (Most commonly used in US and Canada, measured line to
ground, provided on 15 or 20A protected branch circuits); 240V (measured line to
line, commonly available)
Voltage - 3 ø: 208V/240V
Plug Configuration:
NEMA 5-15P and 6-15P plug standards used in the United
States and Canada. In the U.S., these straight-blade plugs are detailed in NEMA
(National Electrical Manufacturers Association) publication WD6 and are
incorporated into UL 498. Canadian plug and socket standards are outlined by CSA
in publication C22.2, No. 42. Certification
Mark
Licensing
- Products certified by TÜV Rheinland for the US market are identified by the
TUVus certification mark. The TUVus certification mark provides clients a clear
and direct method to gain US market access for their products from the world's
most trusted name in product safety.
- In addition, TÜV Rheinland of North America is already established as a
Certification Organization in Canada. When the TUVus mark is coupled with the
cTUV mark, clients are able to demonstrate compliance for both the US and
Canadian markets through a single mark on the product - cTUVus.
Documents Required
1. Safety Testing
The process
is very simple - products must be tested (the most common US/Canadian voltage is
120V, 60Hz, Single Phase) and evaluated to Canadian and/or US national
standards. This can be accomplished at the same time products are submitted to
TÜV for testing for the GS mark or CE marking assistance. In many cases the US
and Canadian standards are now harmonized to the IEC standards with bi-National
standards existing between Canada and the US. This means that with the exception
of some national deviations, a single standard is basically used to evaluate the
product. In other situations standards are not as similar, however, similar
testing can still be grouped together during the investigation. After successful
completion of the product evaluation authorization is provided to apply the
certification mark. To start a project the following are needed:
- Completed Application
- Electrical Schematics
- Component Details (Manufacturer, Model, existing Certifications to
US/Canadian standards)
- Instruction and Installation Manuals
- CB Scheme - TUVRNA is a recognizing and issuing Certification Body, making
it possible to obtain any of TUVRNA's North American certification marks via CB
reports and certificates issued by other agencies.
Lead time
·
Typical lead times are 3-5 weeks depending upon projects in process. However, we
are here to serve you and we work with all of our clients, even those that need
completion right away.
2. FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Testing Some products (such as
those with a transmitter) require compliance to FCC Rules and Regulations (FCC
Part 15 for example). Compliance to FCC requirements is mandatory to market
products in the US but not required for TUVus certification. Compliance is
typically done by testing through an accredited laboratory (NVLAP) and
registering with the FCC.
Factory Inspections
Four per year are required for TUVus certification,
two per year for cTUV certification. If both certifications are employed only a
total of four inspections are required. Under especial circumstances, this
number can be reduced.
Test Samples
Typically one - two test samples are required.
Choosing cTUVus
By using the cTUVUS
certification, TUV Rheinland's clients are able to gain a significant
competitive advantage through reduced time to market and reduced certification
and follow-up costs, without sacrificing the integrity of the product
evaluation.
Integrity
TÜV Rheinland employees have the highest level of experience in
the Industry and know how to investigate your product. The engineer working on
your project is not being trained at the same time.
Reduced time to market
TÜV Rheinland will work with your timetable to
ensure we meet your time to market requirements. We do not expect you to work
around us.
Simple
Work with only one company for all of your testing and
certification needs. No other testing and certification body can provide you
with their own certification marks for Canada (cTUV), US (TUVus), Argentina (S
Mark), Japan (TÜV S), and Germany (GS). In addition, through TUV Rheinlands
Global Network Solution we can obtain many other National Certification Marks
for your product.
Less Stress
Reduced Factory inspections- some clients have seven or more
factory inspections per year using three or more agencies. By using only TÜV
Rheinland we can reduce the number of inspections to four or less depending upon
the certifications requested.
Reduced Cost
For clients maintaining a TÜV Rheinland certification mark,
such as the TÜV-GS mark, there are no additional annual fees for cTUVus. Further
cost savings are generated as: the frequency of factory inspections are reduced;
only one set of tests are required; and TÜV product investigations are
competitively priced.
The TÜV Solution
Beyond North America, TÜV
Rheinland is the world leader of GS mark certifications and is a long time
member of the CB Scheme. Now, with a single product assessment, and most
importantly, a single point of contact, you can achieve all the certifications
you need : US, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, CB and GS (EU). Whether it's telecom,
field labeling, safety or EMC testing, by consolidating your approvals through
one source you will simplify the process, reduce your cost and minimize the
number of follow-up inspections at your manufacturing facilities.
All these certifications add up to the TÜV Worldwide Solution - A single
resource for all your testing and certification needs. For more information
about the cTUVus mark or for information on how TÜV Rheinland can be your world
wide solution please contact your nearest TÜV office
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