Solar PTL Accreditation
1. OSHA Recognition
SolarPTL is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). NRTL is a designation granted by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to laboratories which have been recognized to perform certification to U.S. Safety Standards. SolarPTL has been recognized as a safety certification body.
About the NRTL Program
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) safety standards require that specified equipment and materials (products) be tested and certified for safety by an OSHA-recognized organization. OSHA’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program fulfills this responsibility by recognizing the capabilities of (mainly) private sector testing organizations to test and certify such products for manufacturers. The NRTL Program, in operation since 1988, is an effective public and private partnership. Rather than performing testing and certification itself, OSHA relies on private sector organizations to accomplish it. This helps to ensure worker safety, with existing private sector systems performing the work rather than maintaining government facilities.
These organizations use generally accepted, consensus-based product safety standards issued by national standards-producing organizations such as:
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
- American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM)
- Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FMRC)
- Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
To be recognized, an organization must meet OSHA’s requirements. Initial recognition, valid for 5 years and for a specific scope of recognition, is granted if the application and an on-site review of the organization demonstrate the applicant is completely independent, has the capability (including equipment, personnel, and quality assurance), and meets other requirements to test and certify products for safety. An organization must have the necessary capability both as a testing laboratory and as a product certification body to receive OSHA recognition as an NRTL.
2. American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)
SolarPTL performs tests to international (IEC) and national (ANSI) standards, as well as to manufacturers’ unique specifications. ASU-PTL/TUV PTL/SolarPTL has been accredited to ISO 17025 by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for over twenty years. SolarPTL’s scope of accreditation includes all the module tests of IEC 61215, IEC 61730, ANSI/UL 1703, and ANSI/UL61730 standards (including Fire test). A2LA is a member body of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). Because of this, SolarPTL’s test data is transferable worldwide through mutual recognition arrangements established through ILAC.
A2LA is a member body of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). Because of this, SolarPTL’s test data is transferable worldwide through mutual recognition arrangements established through ILAC.
IEC 61215 is design type approval standards of terrestrial, flat-plate photovoltaic modules. IEC 61730 is the EN safety test standard for photovoltaic modules. ANSI/UL 1703 and ANSI/UL61730 are the American safety test standard for photovoltaic modules. Safety conformance certification can only be assessed and issued by a safety certification body.
In Europe, the cleanest way to earning a CE Mark of PV modules is to achieve the requirements of IEC 61215 + IEC 61730. In the United States, the IEC 61730 has not yet been adopted, and design type approval is not a requirement for sale of PV modules.
IEC 61730 was adopted as the European (EN) safety test standard for photovoltaic modules in July 2007. Safety conformance to IEC 61730 can only be assessed and issued by a safety certification body, or a Nationally Recognized Test Laboratory (NRTL).
3. Performance testing for ePBI
PTL participates in the CEC Performance testing for ePBI – the California Energy Commission’s e(expected) P(performance) B(based) I(incentive) program for predicting energy output of PV modules and systems.
4. IECEE Accreditation
SolarPTL is a Certification Body Testing Laboratory (CBTL) and an Issuing & Recognizing National Certification Body (NCB) within the IECEE CB Scheme.
The IECEE CB Scheme is based on the principle of mutual recognition (reciprocal acceptance) by its Members of CB Test Certificates and Test Reports for the purpose of obtaining certification or approval at a national level.
An applicant planning to submit a CB Test Certificate can be a foreign manufacturer or a representative authorized to act on behalf of the manufacturer, regardless of location.
SolarPTL will recognize CB Test Certificates from other organizations in accordance with the rules of the CB Scheme. A sample of the certified product will be requested. A pre-license factory inspection may be required. After certification, periodic follow-up factory inspections will be required.