What Happened

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is removing more than a dozen test standards from its Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program and modifying the scope of recognition for several participating labs. The final rule, published February 10, 2026, deletes 16 standards that OSHA has determined are no longer necessary for product safety certification under its framework.

NRTLs are independent laboratories that manufacturers hire to test and certify products for workplace safety. Under OSHA standards, many products used in workplaces — from electrical equipment to pressure vessels — must carry an NRTL certification mark before they can be deployed. The NRTL Program maintains a list of approved test standards that these labs use to evaluate products.

Why It Matters for Chemical Industry Professionals

Chemical manufacturers, distributors, and industrial facilities rely on NRTL-certified equipment throughout their operations. From explosion-proof electrical enclosures to certified fume hoods, pressure-rated vessels, and laboratory instrumentation, NRTL testing ensures that workplace equipment meets minimum safety standards.

When OSHA modifies the NRTL standard list, it can affect:

• Equipment purchasing decisions — Products certified under removed standards may need recertification under updated test protocols
• Facility compliance audits — Safety officers should verify that equipment certifications reference current, recognized standards
• Lab accreditation — Testing laboratories that relied on the removed standards will need to update their scope of recognition
• Manufacturer documentation — Product certification labels and documentation may need updating

Understanding the NRTL Program

OSHA's NRTL Program was established under 29 CFR 1910.7 to ensure that products used in American workplaces are tested to recognized safety standards. Currently, 17 organizations hold NRTL recognition from OSHA, including well-known labs such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories), CSA Group, and Intertek (ETL).

These labs test products against consensus standards developed by organizations like ANSI, ASTM, UL, and IEC. When a standard becomes obsolete — either replaced by a newer version or no longer relevant to workplace safety — OSHA periodically removes it from the approved list through formal rulemaking.

What Chemical Facilities Should Do

• Review your equipment inventory — Identify any equipment certified under standards that may be affected by NRTL list changes. Focus on electrical equipment, safety devices, and laboratory instrumentation.
• Check with your NRTL — If you use products certified by an NRTL whose scope is being modified, contact them to understand how recertification or re-evaluation may apply.
• Update your compliance documentation — Ensure your facility safety records reference current OSHA-recognized test standards, especially if you are preparing for an inspection.
• Monitor the Federal Register — The final rule details, including the specific standards removed and the effective date, are published in the Federal Register. Review the rule for standards relevant to your operations.

For facilities that handle hazardous chemicals, maintaining compliant and properly certified equipment is not optional — it is a core component of GHS compliance and workplace safety programs.