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American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL)
On March 17, 2004, OSHA and ACIL formed an Alliance to raise awareness of OSHA’s Nationally
Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program for general industry and in particular small
businesses, and to increase awareness of OSHA’s requirements for product approvals by the NRTLs. The
Alliance was renewed on November 18, 2005 and July 17, 2007. Due to organizational changes at ACIL
and its focus on other projects and priorities, the Alliance was concluded on January 7, 2008.
Through OSHA and ACIL Alliance, the organizations worked together to meet the agreements’ goals and
achieved a number of successes including:
- On June 6, 2007, ACIL participated in Department of Labor Safety Day in Washington D.C. ACIL had
an exhibit booth during the event.
- On February 12, 2007, Assistant Secretary Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., USDOL-OSHA gave a presentation on
the OSHA and ACIL Alliance and major OSHA initiatives at ACIL's 2007 Mid-Winter Meeting in
Arlington, Virginia.
- On November 16, 2006, an American Council for Electrical Safety (ACES) Meeting was held in
Baltimore, Maryland. Bernard Pasquet, Electrical Engineer, Office of Technical Programs and
Coordination Activities, Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine, USDOL-OSHA gave an update
on OSHA's NRTL Program. Patrick Kapust, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of
Technical Programs and Coordination Activities, Directorate of Enforcement Programs, USDOL-OSHA gave
an update on OSHA's enforcement program activities.
- Through the Alliance, ACIL developed a number of compliance assistance materials and resources for
OSHA staff and the public, including:
- Pocket Cards depicting NRTL Program Product Certification Marks. OSHA distributed approximately
2500 of the laminated pocket cards to OSHA Regional, State Plan state and On-site Consultation
Program staff and OSHA Training Institute instructors.
- Article on the NRTL Program. The article, "OSHA Requirements for Nationally Recognized Testing
Laboratory Approval of Products," reviews the history of the NRTL program along with its operating
standard, types of products that are required to receive the NRTL safety mark, and the certifying
laboratories.
- Quick Tips for Identifying Counterfeit Marks. The quick tips document provides information on how
to identify counterfeit marks and products in the workplace.
- White Paper: The Threat of Counterfeit Product Approval Marks Warrants Aggressive Detection and Enforcement Action. The white paper provides information to help safety and health professionals and the public understand the dangers of products with counterfeit marks.
- Pocket Cards depicting NRTL Program Product Certification Marks. OSHA distributed approximately
2500 of the laminated pocket cards to OSHA Regional, State Plan state and On-site Consultation
Program staff and OSHA Training Institute instructors.
Report prepared by: Rick Harris, then Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, January 7, 2008.