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NSF, CE, ETL & UL Certifications for Restaurants Explained

NSF, CE, ETL & UL Certifications for Restaurants Explained

Updated 2/5/2025

If you are a restaurant owner or manager, you may have noticed that some of the restaurant equipment you use or buy has certain certifications on it.

These certifications, such as NSF, CE, ETL, and UL, are not just random letters. They are important indicators of the equipment's safety, sanitation, and quality. 

In this blog post, we will explain what each certification means and why it is important for restaurants.

NSF Certification

NSF stands for National Sanitation Foundation International, a nonprofit organization that develops and maintains public health standards and certification programs for restaurant equipment.

NSF-certified restaurant equipment has been tested to ensure that it protects food quality and safety when in use and that it does not leach harmful chemicals into food.

NSF-certified equipment is also easy to clean and maintain, which helps prevent foodborne illness and improve health inspection scores.

NSF certification is widely recognized and accepted by health authorities and regulators around the world.

CE Certification

CE stands for Conformité Européenne, which translates to "European Conformity" in French. CE is a mark that indicates that a piece of equipment conforms to the safety, health, and environmental protection standards set by the European Union.

CE certification is mandatory for certain products to be sold across the 30 countries in the European Economic Area.

CE certification ensures that the equipment is safe for operators and consumers and that it complies with the EU's environmental regulations.

ETL Certification

ETL stands for Electrical Testing Laboratories, a name that was originally used by a testing laboratory founded by Thomas Edison in 1896.

Today, ETL is a mark used by Intertek, one of the world's largest testing, inspection, and certification companies.

ETL-certified equipment meets North American safety standards for electrical and gas-fired appliances.

ETL certification also verifies that the equipment has passed rigorous performance and reliability tests.

UL Certification

UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, another safety science company that tests thousands of consumer and commercial products each year for electrical safety and design quality.

UL-certified equipment meets the standards of soundness of design, electrical safety, and structural integrity set by UL.

UL also has a sanitation classification that is similar to NSF's. UL sanitation-certified equipment means that it complies with the ANSI/NSF regulations for food service equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is ETL certification as good as UL?

Yes, ETL and UL certifications are both recognized safety standards. ETL follows the same testing procedures as UL and is just as reliable, ensuring compliance with industry safety standards.

Is ETL certification the same as NSF?

No, ETL and NSF certifications are different. ETL ensures electrical and safety compliance, while NSF focuses on sanitation and food safety standards for commercial kitchen equipment.

Is NSF certification better than FDA?

NSF and FDA certifications serve different purposes. NSF is a third-party certification ensuring sanitation and safety for food equipment, while the FDA sets regulatory guidelines for food and drugs. One isn’t necessarily “better” than the other—they complement each other in ensuring food safety.

Is ETL the same as CSA-approved?

No, ETL and CSA are different certifications, but they serve similar purposes. ETL is issued by Intertek, while CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certifies products for safety and performance, mainly in Canada. 

Wrapping it Up

These certifications are important for restaurants because they provide assurance that the equipment is safe, sanitary, and high-quality.

Certified equipment can help restaurants avoid accidents, injuries, lawsuits, fines, and reputation damage caused by faulty or unsanitary equipment.

Certified equipment can also help restaurants save money on energy costs, maintenance costs, and replacement costs by being more durable and efficient.

If you are looking for certified restaurant equipment, you can browse our selection of NSF, CE, ETL, and UL-certified products on our website. We offer a wide range of new and used restaurant equipment for cooking, refrigeration, preparation, storage, display, serving, cleaning, and more.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you with your restaurant needs!

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