ICC and UL Similarities:

  • ICC typically uses nationally recognized test standards developed by other organizations such as UL or ASTM for their testing and certification services. ICC is an ANSI-accredited Standards Development Organization (SDO), and UL also develops nationally recognized test standards that are used by other organizations, including ICC.
  • Both organizations are accredited by various accreditation bodies to provide testing and certification services to nationally recognized test standards. ICC is accredited by A2LA, ANAB, SCC, EMA, and others.

Who is ICC-ES?

  • ICC-ES is accredited to ISO/IEC 17065 and is a subsidiary of the International Code Council that provides product certifications to codes and standards.
    • For products evaluated to the building code, ICC-ES issues ESRs (Evaluation Service Reports).
    • For products evaluated to nationally recognized performance and safety standards, ICC-ES issues ESLs (Evaluation Service Listing reports).
    • Evaluations typically include a review of test reports provided by testing laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.
  • ICC NTA is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and is a subsidiary of the International Code Council that performs testing on products to nationally recognized test standards.
    • Products are tested to UL, ASTM, ISO, NFPA, or other international standards that are on the scope of accreditation.
    • Data is submitted to ICC-ES in the form of test reports for use in evaluating if the product meets the requirements of the applicable standard.
  • ICC-ES and ICC NTA are part of the ICC family of solutions and work in conjunction to help manufacturers obtain ESRs to codes and ESLs to nationally recognized test standards.
    • ICC’s Testing and Certification agencies use any nationally recognized standards for their testing and provides listings (certification) to those standards.

Who is UL?

  • UL is an organization that creates test standards, performs tests, and provides product certifications to those standards.
    • One division of UL develops standards – Standards Development Organization (SDO)
    • Another division of UL tests and certifies products – accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 (testing) and ISO/IEC 17065 (certification)
    • UL’s Testing and Certification Division uses UL-developed standards for their testing and provides listings (certification) to those standards.

 

Both ICC’s subsidiaries and UL are accredited agencies that perform testing and evaluations to nationally recognized test standards for building products and beyond. Both ICC’s and UL’s testing and certification processes have been accredited to the same ISO international standards. Utilizing products that bear a mark from either organization will help give you the confidence that these products are approved for their conditions of use.

 

About ICC NTA, LLC: As an accredited third-party agency and part of the International Code Council (ICC) family of solutions, ICC NTA provides code evaluation, product certification, inspection, engineering, plan review, and testing services, as well as independent quality and standards compliance verification for building product manufacturers. With offices, testing labs, and training facilities in Nappanee, Indiana and Bryan, Texas, ICC NTA serves residential and commercial builders, code officials, manufacturers, and suppliers throughout the building industry.

About ICC-ES: A nonprofit, limited liability company, ICC-ES is the United States’ leading evaluation service for innovative building materials, components, and systems. ICC-ES Evaluation Reports (ESRs), Building Product Listings and PMG Listings provide evidence that products and systems meet requirements of codes and technical standards. The ICC-ES Environmental Programs issue VAR environmental reports that verify a product meets specific sustainability targets defined by today’s codes, standards, green rating systems, and ICC-ES environmental criteria. ICC-ES is a member of the ICC family of solutions.