Cookie consent(s)
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze traffic. This is done only with your explicit consent. By clicking "ACCEPT ALL," you agree to the processing and sharing of your data with our partners for social media, advertising, and analytics, including in third countries in accordance with Art. 49(1)(a) GDPR and Art. 17(1)(a) FADP (Switzerland). There is a risk that your data may be monitored by authorities without legal recourse. You can change or revoke your consents at any time in the data privacy settings .
Data protection declaration | Legal notices
Settings

DEKRA Expands NRTL Recognition for Electrical and Hand-held Tools in the U.S.

Jan 21, 2026
DEKRA announces that OSHA has expanded our recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), enabling independent safety testing and certification of additional electrical and hand-held tools for the U.S. market. This recognition confirms that DEKRA meets strict OSHA requirements to perform product testing according to nationally recognized standards.
To help our customers understand what this expansion means, we spoke with Erik Winkelmann, Location Manager Dresden, Business Line Director Electrical, and Head of Digital Trust at DEKRA Testing & Certification GmbH. Erik also serves as DEKRA’s Ambassador for NACS (North American Certification Services) and acts as project lead for NACS, working closely with a dedicated, cross-functional team to develop and expand DEKRA’s NRTL capabilities for the North American market.
Q1: Erik, can you explain what NRTL recognition is and why this expansion is important?
Erik W.:
Certainly. NRTL recognition is granted by OSHA to organizations that can independently test and certify products for workplace safety under specific standards. This ensures that products meet rigorous safety requirements before being used in the U.S. workplace.
The recent expansion allows DEKRA to cover 32 additional test standards, including categories such as hand-held power tools, household appliances, and commercial cleaning equipment. The recognized site for these new standards is our facility in Dresden, Germany, with further international locations planned subject to regulatory approval.
Detailed information on DEKRA’s recognized testing sites and the applicable NRTL standards is available on OSHA’s official NRTL program website: OSHA's Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program - DEKRA
Q2: Which product categories are now included in DEKRA’s NRTL scope of recognition?
Erik W.:
The new scope includes products such as hand-held drills, grinders, saws, vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners, floor treatment machines, and electric lawn and garden tools including chainsaws and hedge trimmers. This expansion reflects DEKRA’s growing capabilities to support manufacturers with recognized testing for a wide range of electrical products.
Q3: What benefits does certification through DEKRA provide to customers?
Erik W.:
Certification through DEKRA provides independent verification of product safety against internationally recognized standards, such as those recognized by OSHA in the U.S., which helps strengthen credibility in global markets. It also enables customers to coordinate testing and certification by working with a single, recognized service provider.
Many of our customers aim to market their products in multiple regions, such as in Europe and North America. For the products already mentioned, we can now support multi-market certification from a single source, for example by issuing an IECEE certificate that can serve as a basis for further certification in the U.S., Canada and other countries.
After successful certification, customers can display the DEKRAus Mark (for the U.S) or cDEKRAus Mark (for the U.S. and Canada) on their products, signaling compliance with recognized safety standards to business partners and end-users. As a recognized and impartial testing laboratory, DEKRA ensures that all certifications are conducted independently and objectively.
For more information about our services for power tools and machinery, please visit our Power Tool and Machinery Testing page.
You can also find more information about the DEKRA Mark for the North American market here: DEKRA Mark North America .
Q4: Can you tell us more about the DEKRAus Mark and cDEKRAus Marks?
Erik W.:
The DEKRAus Mark and cDEKRAus Mark indicate that a product has been independently tested and certified by DEKRA. The DEKRAus Mark applies to products certified under OSHA-recognized NRTL standards for the U.S. market. The cDEKRAus Mark applies to products certified to applicable U.S. and Canadian requirements and may also be used for certifications to non-OSHA-recognized standards.
Both marks confirm that the product has undergone rigorous testing and is subject to ongoing surveillance by a recognized and impartial testing laboratory. Displaying the DEKRAus or cDEKRAus Mark demonstrates a commitment to safety, quality, and regulatory compliance for customers, authorities, and other market stakeholders.
Q5: How can customers start the testing and certification process with DEKRA?
Erik W.:
Customers can contact their local DEKRA entity with product details, and we guide them step by step through the testing and certification process in line with the relevant standards within DEKRA’s NRTL scope. Our expanded capabilities enable us to efficiently handle a wide range of products at recognized sites.
Most of our customers first have their products tested according to IEC standards and then evaluate the deviations required for the target markets (e.g., EU, USA, Canada). Based on this process, individual certifications such as cDEKRA, DEKRAus, or cDEKRAus can then be issued.
Q6: How does DEKRA’s NRTL recognition relate to international standards, like UL/IEC harmonization?
Erik W.:
Many of the standards in DEKRA’s NRTL scope are harmonized with international standards from the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). This harmonization works both ways: products tested to UL standards in the U.S. are often recognized under the corresponding IEC standard, and vice versa. In such cases, only the gaps or national deviations need to be tested.
A practical example is the testing of UL 60335-2-69 (safety of wet and dry vacuum cleaners for commercial use, including backpack vacuum cleaners and dust extractors)and UL 60335-2-79 (safety of high-pressure cleaners and steam cleaners for household and commercial use), which are among the new standards added to DEKRA’s NRTL scope. Traditionally, a product would undergo separate testing for:
  • European market → IEC 60335-1 / IEC 60335-2-69 with EU deviations
  • U.S. market → UL 1017
OSHA has now finalized the addition of these two test standards (UL 60335-2-69 and UL 60335-2-79) to the NRTL Program's List of Appropriate Test Standards and simultaneously recognized DEKRA as an authorized testing site for them. This harmonized testing approach allows manufacturers to address national deviations alongside IEC standards in a single process, reducing the need for fully separate tests for each market. By coordinating the testing process, this approach can support more efficient certification planning and may contribute to optimizing time and costs associated with bringing products to multiple markets.
For manufacturers, this alignment confirms that testing and certification under DEKRA’s NRTL scope demonstrates compliance not only in the U.S. but also internationally. It’s an important step toward consistent, globally recognized product safety.

Outlook and Next Steps

With the expansion of its NRTL recognition, DEKRA continues to reinforce its commitment to electrical safety and independent testing and certification services, supporting manufacturers seeking access to to the U.S., Canada, and other international markets. As a recognized NRTL with decades of experience supporting in North American certification programs, DEKRA combines regulatory expertise with globally aligned testing processes across its international laboratory network.
Within DEKRA’s global NRTL scope, testing and certification services cover a broad range of product categories, including information technology equipment, laboratory and measurement equipment, audio and video equipment, power supplies, medical equipment, lighting, industrial control equipment, household appliances and controls, batteries, equipment and components for hazardous locations, as well as electrical and hand-held tools. These services are delivered through multiple DEKRA locations worldwide, enabling manufacturers to work with a consistent certification approach across regions.
As part of this global NRTL network, the Dresden site is currently recognized for the testing and certification of electrical and hand-held tools, including power tools, garden machinery, and cleaning machines, laboratory equipment, active medical products, and information technology equipment. This complements DEKRA’s wider international NRTL capabilities and provides manufacturers with additional flexibility in selecting recognized testing locations.
Planned future scope expansions, subject to regulatory approval, include additional product categories such as cells and batteries, electrical energy battery systems, laboratory equipment, lighting products and further electrical power tools. Together with DEKRA’s existing international NRTL locations, these developments support a scalable, globally coordinated certification offering aligned with the expectations of regulatory authorities and our customers.
Show all articles