Restaurant Equipment Certification Marks Explained

UL Solutions (UL) is a certification agency that focuses on equipment safety standards. The engineers at UL test both electrical and gas-fired food service equipment to ensure that standards in soundness of design, electrical safety, and structural integrity are met. If all the testing procedures are completed successfully, the piece of equipment is deemed safe for use in food service operations and is given the UL sticker.

UL also has a sanitation classification that is similar to the one set forth by NSF International. In many instances, products listed as UL Sanitation certified are acceptable alternatives to NSF-listed items during health inspections. Consult your local regulatory offices for further information.

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is primarily applicable to the Canadian market. However, because CSA tests electrical and gas equipment to both its standards as well as NSF and UL requirements, CSA-certified equipment may be acceptable alternatives to NSF or UL-listed products during health inspections in the US. Consult your local regulatory offices for more information.

When a product is ENERGY STAR certified, it is a guarantee that it will be more energy-efficient compared to similar products without the rating. Before purchasing a product with the ENERGY STAR label, business owners can review its energy usage estimates to make an informed decision. Oftentimes, using ENERGY STAR-certified equipment can qualify operators for a variety of tax credits.

ENERGY STAR standards are set by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. If a product meets the program's rigorous testing standards, it is awarded the ENERGY STAR label.

Edison Testing Laboratories (ETL) is a division of Intertek, a global group of laboratories that test everything from petroleum to toys. This organization's mark, like many others on our list, is placed on products that adhere to widely accepted gas, electrical, and other safety standards. These safety standards are developed through independent testing and routine follow-ups by an NRTL (nationally recognized testing laboratory), which means that ETL is held to the same standards as competing certification marks such as UL or CSA. The ETL Listed marking is recognized by local inspectors and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) throughout North America.

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is an agency that tests commercial refrigeration and kitchen ventilation equipment to ensure that it lives up to the manufacturer's published claims. The AHRI certification is less about impressing the health inspectors or other regulatory bodies and more about making sure the consumer is getting a product that performs as advertised.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US territories. But what does this have to do with cooking equipment? The FCC issues licenses to allow certain devices to operate over radio frequencies, and as it turns out, some microwaves and induction cooking ranges use radio waves to operate. So, when you buy a range or microwave listed as FCC-compliant, you know that it is certified to operate on the radio frequencies that are designated for this type of device.

FM Approvals certify fire protection equipment, electrical equipment, and building materials. Commercial trash cans approved by Factory Mutual (FM) are certified to meet the requirement of Standard 6921 Combustible Waste Containers. The performance criteria for these containers with lids include the ability to withstand internal flames. FM Approved trash cans, safety cans, and safety cabinets are ideal for healthcare facilities disposing of or storing hazardous materials as well as any other establishment that needs to dispose of grease, oil, or flammable liquids.

The Plumbing and Drainage Institute is an organization that certifies products such as floor drains, roof drains, grease interceptors, backwater valves, and other plumbing and drain-type equipment. Not only does this organization set standards for plumbing and drainage equipment, but it also develops certified testing, rating, and installation procedures. Products with the PDI certification meet the Plumbing and Drainage Institute's requirements and standards.

The National Type Evaluation Program, or NTEP, is the result of the cooperation between several different regulatory bodies, including the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM), the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), and state weights and measures officials. Before you understand what NTEP does, you have to know that NIST has a set of requirements for commercial weighing and measuring equipment known as Handbook 44. NTEP uses the standards in Handbook 44 to evaluate all weighing and measuring equipment for commercial use, such as legal for trade scales and portion control scales.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed on July 26, 1990. This law states that no one may discriminate against a person with disabilities and that those with disabilities must have the same opportunities as everyone else in terms of employment and access to goods and services. Since this act was signed into law, the Department of Justice has issued ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Products and equipment that meet the standards set forth by the Department of Justice are given the certification of ADA Compliant.

Items that are Green Seal certified meet Green Seal's standards for sustainability and are based on research done throughout the life cycle of a product. Green Seal's mission is to evaluate a product's impact on the health of people and the environment to determine whether or not it is safe for use. These evaluations are based on a rigorous set of requirements developed by Green Seal.

The U.S. Green Building Council is an organization that promotes sustainable building practices, including saving energy, using fewer resources, and reducing waste. Although the USGBC doesn't review or give certifications to individual products, it does have a program for certifying buildings called LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design). The LEED program assesses how buildings are designed, built, and maintained and awards points for sustainable building practices. Once it has been determined that a building satisfies the requirements, its points are added up, and the building is awarded the LEED certification, which has different levels based on what specific requirements are met.

Originating in the European Union, the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment to protect the environment and public health concerning electronic and electrical waste management. These ten restricted substances, known as EEE, include heavy metals, flame retardants, and plasticizers, which are hazardous to the environment and pollute landfills.

While there are no federal restrictions in the US, California has its own RoHS laws. Any covered electronic devices sold in California must meet the EU RoHS regulations.