Restaurant Equipment Certification and Registration Marks Explained

NSF is an independent not-for-profit certification agency and standards developer for several industries, including food and beverage. The NSF sanitation certification for commercial foodservice equipment indicates that it has been independently tested and verified to meet established standards for food safety, sanitation, material quality, and cleanability. Certification applies to both food-contact and non-food-contact equipment used in commercial kitchens.

• Common NSF-Certified Products: Food prep tables, sinks, refrigerators, ice machines, beverage dispensers, shelving, and smallwares
• Benefits of Purchasing NSF-Certified Products: Simplifies health inspections, supports food safety programs, enables code compliance, and reduces the risk of contamination

UL Solutions is a global certification and standards development organization that provides testing, inspection, and certification services to support safety, security, and sustainability. It offers a comprehensive, single-provider certification solution covering a wide range of services for equipment, including electrical, fire, gas, and mechanical safety, sanitation, and energy efficiency. The UL EPH mark is widely recognized and trusted as a benchmark for evaluating the sanitary design, construction, and performance of commercial food equipment.

• Common UL-Certified Products: Cooking equipment, warming equipment, refrigeration units, dishwashers, and powered small appliances
• Benefits of Purchasing UL-Certified Products: Supports code compliance and provides confidence that equipment is safe to install and operate in commercial environments

CSA Group is a certification agency and standards developer that provides safety and performance certification, with a strong presence in Canada and North America. CSA evaluates electrical and gas-powered equipment to verify compliance with applicable safety, energy, and sanitation standards and codes.

• Common CSA-Marked Products: Ovens, ranges, refrigeration units, beverage equipment, and powered appliances
• Benefits of Purchasing CSA-Marked Products: Widely accepted by inspectors and utilities, and helps equipment meet regional safety requirements

Intertek provides product safety certification through its ETL Listed mark, certifying against the same safety standards used by UL. Intertek provides comprehensive testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services to ensure industrial, electrical, and consumer equipment meets safety, regulatory, and performance standards.

• Common ETL-Listed Products: Cooking equipment, refrigeration units, beverage machines, and food prep equipment
• Benefits of Purchasing ETL-Listed Products: Supports safety compliance and inspection approval

ENERGY STAR® identifies equipment that meets energy efficiency standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. A product is awarded the ENERGY STAR® label when it meets the program’s standards, as demonstrated through verified performance data confirming reduced energy and water consumption without loss of functionality. Before purchasing a product with the ENERGY STAR® label, operators can review its energy usage estimates to make an informed decision.

• Common ENERGY STAR®-Labeled Products: Refrigeration units, dishwashers, fryers, steamers, and hot food holding equipment
• Benefits of Purchasing ENERGY STAR®-Labeled Products: Has the potential to lower utility costs, reduce environmental impact, and support sustainability initiatives, while often qualifying for rebates or incentives

The CE mark is a manufacturer's self-declaration, indicating that a product complies with the applicable European Union (EU) health, safety, and environmental protection requirements. While CE marking is mandatory for products sold within the EU, it may also appear on equipment used globally, particularly from international manufacturers. It’s important to note that equipment bearing the CE mark will require additional certifications to meet North American requirements.

• Common CE-Marked Products: Commercial ovens, mixers, coffee equipment, and refrigeration units
• Benefits of Purchasing CE-Marked Products: Signals conformity with EU safety directives

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is a leading trade association representing manufacturers of HVACR and water heating equipment. It administers the AHRI Product Performance Certification Program, a voluntary, third-party program that verifies manufacturers’ performance claims through standardized testing and ongoing compliance oversight. The certification is especially significant for equipment that must deliver consistent, reliable temperature control.

• Common AHRI-Certified Products: Refrigeration systems and HVAC units
• Benefits of Purchasing AHRI-Certified Products: Verified performance and efficiency ratings, simplified compliance with codes and standards, and potential eligibility for utility rebates and incentives

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States, including all states and U.S. territories. Within the foodservice industry, FCC certification is essential for equipment that uses wireless or electronic communication technologies, ensuring devices operate safely, do not cause harmful interference, and comply with federal electromagnetic standards. As operations increasingly rely on connected, automated, and digitally controlled equipment, FCC compliance helps protect system reliability, data integrity, and uninterrupted operation in technology-dense environments.

• Common FCC-Certified Products: Wireless POS systems, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled appliances, smart thermostats and HVAC control systems, and remote temperature monitoring sensors
• Benefits of Purchasing FCC-Certified Products: Compliance with U.S. regulatory requirements, reduced risk of operational disruptions caused by signal interference, and improved reliability of connected systems and data communications

While ADA compliance is not a formal equipment certification, it is an important consideration for restaurant owners when selecting equipment and designing their spaces. ADA-compliant restaurant equipment is designed to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards, ensuring that spaces, tools, and fixtures can be safely and comfortably used by people with a wide range of physical abilities. For business owners, investing in ADA-compliant equipment is important not only because it helps meet legal requirements and reduce liability, but also because it creates a more inclusive and efficient workplace.

• Common ADA Compliant Products: Adjustable-height prep tables, service counters, hand sinks, and reach-in refrigeration
• Benefits of Purchasing ADA-Compliant Products: Supports inclusive employment and guest accessibility while meeting legal standards, and improves safety, ergonomics, and efficiency for both front- and back-of-house operations