Intertek has partnered with Pepperl+Fuchs to pilot its ETL Hazardous Locations Panel Program, marking the first complete project under Intertek’s new hazardous areas panel shop certification offering.
According to Intertek, the Hazardous Locations Panel Program provides an alternative approach to certification for manufacturers who custom-build or mass-produce industrial control panels, which are subject to extensive and stringent conformity assessment requirements. Under the program, which includes on-site training, quarterly inspections and annual auditing, manufacturers can produce custom control panels and conduct their own testing under Intertek’s SATELLITE Data Acceptance Program to certify products under the ETL mark.
“This service, which complements our existing industrial controls panel program, illustrates Intertek’s commitment to giving customers more options and flexibility to get their products to market,” said Tom Connaughton, global director of business development for Intertek. “We look forward to bringing these services to the industry and thank Pepperl+Fuchs for working with us on our first project.”
To qualify for the program, manufacturers undergo an initial audit to inspect manufacturing practices and panels that will ultimately carry ETL mark certification. Additionally, customers must produce panels that conform to national standards adopted in the USA and Canada. Intertek offers four program levels based on the protection concepts employed in the panel. Factory surveillance audits are conducted throughout the year to ensure continued compliance. Once qualified, the speed and flexibility of testing on site allows them to bring certified products, and solutions, to market more quickly.
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“The integrated approach of the Intertek program greatly enhances our solutions engineering services, giving us greater flexibility to create certified solutions with best-in-class components for our customers,” said Jim Bolin, executive vice president - Americas at Pepperl+Fuchs. “Joining the program was a seamless, straightforward process and we’re thrilled to be the first company to participate and benefit from this offering.”
For more information, visit www.intertek.com/hazardous-locations.
