Intertek, Pepperl+Fuchs partner on hazardous locations panel project

May 18, 2016
Program includes on-site training, quarterly inspections and annual auditing.

Intertek reported April 14 that it's collaborating with Pepperl+Fuchs to pilot its ETL Hazardous Locations Panel Program, which provides an alternative approach to certification for manufacturers that custom-build or mass-produce industrial control panels that are subject to extensive, stringent conformity assessment requirements. The program includes on-site training, quarterly inspections, and annual auditing, which allows manufacturers to produce custom control panels and conduct testing under Intertek’s Satellite Data Acceptance Program to certify products under the ETL mark. Pepperl+Fuchs completed the first project in the hazardous-areas panel shop certification program.

To qualify for the program, manufacturers undergo an initial audit to inspect manufacturing practices and panels that will ultimately carry ETL certification. Also, participants must produce panels that conform to national standards adopted in the U.S. 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,” says Jim Bolin, executive vice president for the 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.”