Hello,
Certifying that a product is safe for use is important, as is understanding the content of the safety approval document that is issued for that product.
Designing for compliance with product safety requirements begins with an understanding of where the standards originate and who certifies that the product meets a standard. Within those standards are specifications the new product will need to meet in order to obtain a safety approval. An approval certifies that a product is safe for use in the intended application. In many countries, knowledge of and conformity with various national and international product safety regulations are legal requirements for doing business in that country.
Reading and Understanding a Safety Approval Document
Below is an example of a VDE safety approval document with explanations for each section. Most safety approval documents from other agencies will have similar information included.
- The manufacturer's name
- The type of product
- The approval mark
- The standard(s) that the product is certified to
- The date issued, and in some cases, there may be an updated date.
- The "Type" is the identification that you would find on the product. In this case, there are two types of C13 connectors. One is a 053 and the other 056. You would match the product to this document, and the product would have either 053 or 056.
- Shows the ratings that would be on the product.
- If there is more than one manufacturing location of a product, then the manufacturer must identify this. In this case, the manufacturer has identified one of the locations with LA.
Printing Safety Approval Documents from the Interpower Website
If a copy of the safety approval document is needed, it can be printed from the Interpower website. While on the web page of the product that the approval document is needed for, look for the agency symbol found in the “Document Center” under “Approvals.” Click on the agency symbol to have the document appear and then click on the printer symbol to print it.
Additional Resources
For further assistance, contact Customer Service.
Interpower offers a 1-week U.S. manufacturing lead-time on non-stock Interpower products, same day shipping on in-stock products, and no minimum order or dollar requirements. Blanket and scheduled orders along with value-added services are available. If you have questions, Interpower offers free technical support. Check the website at www.interpower.com, e-mail sales@interpower.com (United States) or uk@interpower.com (United Kingdom) or contact Customer Service in the United States at (800) 662-2290 or in the United Kingdom at +44 (0)1908 295300.
