What UL Listed and ETL Listed Mean

The short answer

"UL Listed" means UL tested a product and certified that it meets the safety standard that applies to it. "ETL Listed" means the same kind of certification by a different lab, Intertek. Both labs are on the US government's list of recognized testing labs, and Intertek says ETL listed products are tested to the same standards as UL marked ones.

Who decides which labs count

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) runs the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) program, defined in 29 CFR 1910.7. Under it, OSHA recognizes private organizations to certify products against the electrical safety requirements in its workplace standards.

OSHA explains how the marks work:

• each NRTL is recognized for a set scope of test standards;
• each NRTL has its own registered certification mark;
• after certifying a product, the lab authorizes the maker to put its mark on it;
• under the program, the mark means the lab tested and certified the product and found it complies with one or more product safety test standards.

UL vs ETL

Intertek puts it plainly on its own page: the difference is the testing lab, not the standard. It also says inspectors, retailers and local code officials in the US and Canada accept the ETL mark. That is the company's own description, so for a permit or inspection, ask your local authority which marks it accepts.

Other marks you may see

UL and Intertek are not the only options. OSHA's current list names 21 recognized labs, including CSA Group, TUV Rheinland of North America, TUV SUD America and SGS North America. Each one uses its own mark, and each is recognized only for the standards in its scope.

How to use it when shopping

• Look for the mark itself. The mark is what the lab authorizes the maker to apply, so it should be on the product's label, not only in the listing text.
• Treat UL and ETL as equal safety signals. Both labs are recognized by OSHA for the standards in their scope.
• Do not read it as a performance score. A listing mark is about safety testing to a standard, not about speed, features or build quality.

For electrical gear such as EV chargers, the listing is a useful filter. On Wiki Shopping, you can browse UL or ETL listed EV chargers directly.

How we count

The chart counts EV chargers whose store listing on Wiki Shopping states a UL or ETL listing: 51 of the 204 chargers listed on October 26, 2026. A charger whose listing does not mention a mark may still carry one, so check the product label. Counts change as listings are added or removed.

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Sources

1. osha.gov: nationally recognized testing laboratory program
2. osha.gov: current list of nrtls
3. intertek.com: etl