OSHA has deleted 16 recognized test standards from its Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program and is modifying the scope of recognition for several participating laboratories. In a notice, the agency said the affected NRTL test standards were removed because the standards development organizations that issued them had previously withdrawn them.
The change affects laboratories operating under the OSHA NRTL program, where independent labs test and certify products required under OSHA regulations. These third-party certification laboratories maintain a defined scope of recognition specifying which NRTL test standards they are authorized to use when certifying equipment for workplace safety compliance.
Because certain products must be certified by an NRTL before use in regulated work environments, the withdrawal of standards requires affected laboratories to review their certification documentation, quality systems, and recognized test methods to ensure continued compliance with OSHA requirements.
What changed in the OSHA NRTL program
OSHA deleted 16 standards from the list of recognized NRTL test standards. The removed standards include 14 issued by the International Society of Automation and one from UL, along with ISA 12.12.01, Nonincendive Electrical Equipment for Use in Class I and II, Division 2 and Class III, Divisions 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
Replacement standard for ISA 12.12.01
For ISA 12.12.01, OSHA identifies UL 121201 as the replacement standard. The agency notes that UL 121201 has already been added to the scope of recognition for several NRTLs. The remaining deleted standards are not listed as replacements in the notice.
OSHA will update its website to reflect changes to each laboratory’s scope of recognition and will add the deleted standards to its “Standards No Longer Recognized” webpage.
Why withdrawn NRTL test standards matter
When a standards development organization withdraws a consensus standard, it typically indicates that the document has been superseded or is no longer considered current. If OSHA continues to list withdrawn standards within the OSHA NRTL program, inconsistencies can arise between regulatory recognition and current industry practice.
By removing withdrawn NRTL test standards, OSHA aligns its program requirements with the current status of those documents. For participating laboratories, this means ensuring that all certification activities reference standards that remain officially recognized.
Laboratories providing hazardous location testing, particularly for nonincendive electrical equipment used in Class I, II, or III environments, may need to transition from ISA 12.12.01 to UL 121201 where applicable. This may involve:
- Updating standard operating procedures
- Revising certification templates and test reports
- Verifying method equivalency and validation documentation
- Training technical staff on revised requirements
Operational considerations for certification laboratories
Laboratory managers overseeing NRTL-recognized facilities should review how the removal of 16 NRTL test standards affects their operations. Key considerations include:
- Confirming that internal documentation reflects currently recognized NRTL test standards
- Reviewing the laboratory’s official scope of recognition on OSHA’s website
- Communicating changes to manufacturers whose products require OSHA-recognized certification
- Assessing whether accreditation records or quality system documentation require updates
Because manufacturers hire NRTLs to certify products required under OSHA regulations, clarity around recognized test standards directly affects product approval timelines and compliance risk.
What laboratory managers should monitor
OSHA first proposed revisions to the list of appropriate test standards in September 2025 and is now implementing those changes. As the agency updates scopes of recognition within the OSHA NRTL program, laboratories should monitor official notices to ensure continued alignment.
For laboratories involved in product safety testing and certification, the deletion of 16 recognized NRTL test standards reinforces the importance of active standards tracking and regulatory review. Regular monitoring of changes within the OSHA NRTL program remains a core component of compliance management and operational stability.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
