Guide · Power and electrical safety
How to verify a UL or ETL listing
A logo on a listing is not proof. How to find the mark on the unit, get a file number and look the exact model up, with examples of brand-level claims.
Short answer
Find the mark on the device's rating label, note the certifier and any file number, and look the exact model up with the certifier. UL Solutions provides Product iQ, a searchable database of UL certification information.[1] A logo in listing photos, a line-level claim or a brand-level list of marks does not prove the model you are buying is certified.
Step 1: Read the label on the product
Health Canada says the certification mark must appear on the product itself, not just the packaging.[2] On aquarium gear it is usually on the rating label, next to the voltage and wattage. Note:
- the mark (UL, ETL, CSA, or a Canadian version such as cUL, cETL or cCSAus);
- the model number exactly as printed;
- any file or control number near the mark.
If you are still shopping, ask the seller or maker for a photo of the rating label.
Step 2: Look the model up
- UL: search UL Solutions' Product iQ by the model or file number.[1] Product iQ is the place to confirm a UL listing; a logo on a listing is not proof.
- ETL: the ETL mark is issued by Intertek, which states it is an OSHA-recognized NRTL.[3] Intertek says the mark shows a product was tested and certified to applicable safety standards.[4] Ask Intertek or the maker to confirm the listing for your model.
- CSA: ask CSA Group or the maker to confirm the certification for your model.
Search for the model, not the brand. A match for a sibling model or a different voltage variant does not cover yours.
Step 3: Tell model-level claims from line-level ones
Maker pages state certification at different levels of detail. How specific the claim is tells you how much checking is left:
| Claim | Example | What's left to check |
|---|---|---|
| Brand-level list of marks | hygger's company page says its products are certified with CE, RoHS, TUV, FCC, UL, ETL and PSE, without saying which model holds which[5] | Everything: the claim does not apply to any specific model |
| Line-level statement | Tetra's US page states that the Whisper air pump line is UL listed, with no file number or per-model listing[6] | The label on your exact unit |
| Model-level statement, no file number | TP-Link lists FCC and UL for the Kasa EP25P4 but gives no UL file number[7] | The mark on the unit, then a Product iQ search |
Remember that FCC is a radio authorization, not a safety listing; see UL vs ETL vs CSA.
Step 4: Decide
- Mark on the unit and the model found: certified.
- Mark on the unit, lookup inconclusive: ask the maker for the file number.
- No mark on the unit: for a mains device that will run unattended near water, return it. In Canada, Health Canada advises not buying plug-in products without a Canadian certification mark.[2]
Next
Questions
Where can I look up a UL listing?
UL Solutions provides Product iQ, a searchable database of UL certification information. Search by the exact model or file number.[1]
Is a UL logo in an Amazon or AliExpress listing proof?
No. A logo in listing photos or text can be copied. Look for the mark on the product itself and look the model up with the certifier.[1][2]
What if the brand says its products are UL and ETL certified?
A brand-level statement does not say which model holds which mark. hygger's company page, for example, lists several marks but does not tie any of them to a model.[5]
What is an NRTL?
A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, recognized by OSHA to certify products to safety standards. Intertek, which issues the ETL mark, states that it is one.[3]
What should I do if I can't confirm the listing?
Ask the maker for the certifier and file number for your exact model. If neither the unit nor the maker can show one, don't use it for mains equipment left running near water.