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Electrical products and certification

According to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 479.610, the installation of uncertified electrical products is prohibited. The certification process for electrical products generally involves inspection, testing and evaluation of the product. This is done through:

  • Listing and application of listing label by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
  • Special Deputy Evaluation and Certification. A product can be submitted to the division for certification under ORS 479.760. The special deputy procedures, rules and limitations are located in OAR 918-306-0510 to 918-306-0530.
  • Field Evaluation of Products. Field evaluation by a qualified field evaluation body involves inspection, testing, evaluation and application of an evaluation label.

Contact

bcd.codesupport@dcbs.oregon.gov

Important news

Field evaluation body approval terms

Certifications for field evaluation bodies that were approved prior to Oct. 1, 2025, will expire on Sept. 30, 2026. Field evaluation bodies can apply for approval prior to Sept. 30, 2026 following the approval application process.

Field evaluation bodies

A field evaluation body, also known as a field evaluation firm, can provide evaluations or testing and documentation regarding compliance with electrical product safety standards in the field. The approval process for field evaluation bodies in Oregon is outlined in Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) 918-306-0340 and 918-306-0350.

Approval process

Use the Field Evaluation Body Approval application to show proof that the field evaluation body meets the requirements of OARs 918-306-0340 and 918-306-0350.

Field Evaluation Body Approval Application

For renewals use the Field Evaluation Body Approval application and check the box indicating that the application is for a renewal.

Field evaluation bodies must be compliant with NFPA 790 “Standard for Competency of Third-Party Field Evaluation Bodies” and maintain evaluation procedures in accordance with NFPA 791 “Recommended Practice and Procedures for Unlabeled Electrical Equipment Evaluation.” Field evaluation bodies are to use applicable product safety standards. The use of NFPA 791 as the criteria for evaluation of products is prohibited as stated in the purpose of NFPA 791.​

Approval of a Field Evaluation Body requires:

  • Meet Oregon approval standards for each type of product for which it seeks approval and be approved according to OAR 918-306-0350.
  • The field evaluation body shall be accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation body that is signatory to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) or the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). The accreditation body shall utilize the NFPA standards referenced in OAR 918-306-0010. The field evaluation body shall include its accreditation certificate as part of its application submittal.
  • The name, address, phone number, and email address of the person designated as the Technical Manager for the field evaluation body is to be provided.
  • The division reviews and approves or denies applications and all required attachments for consideration and approval.

The application for approval as a field evaluation body shall include a certificate of accreditation demonstrating that the field evaluation body meets the criteria in NFPA 790 for each product it seeks to evaluate. Additional criteria the department may review includes

  • The field evaluation body is an independent, third-party inspection company with no direct or indirect affiliation with manufacturers, suppliers or vendors of the products it evaluates.
  • Possesses the capacity, equipment, and personnel necessary to perform the inspections, tests, and evaluations for​ the products it evaluates.
  • Provides in its client agreement that it supplies technical reports to the appropriate authority having jurisdiction with information concerning safety hazards and failures, if any, to meet applicable product safety standards and to provide any information requested by regulatory agencies as well as resolution of issues found leading to the application of a Field Evaluation Body label.
  • Is able to do all examinations, tests, evaluations and inspections for field evaluating and labeling of products for which it is approved, and limits its work to that for which it has the competency and capacity to fulfill.
  • Has a quality control manual as provided in NFPA 790 and in accordance with OAR 918-306-0380.
  • Has personnel meeting the requirements in NFPA 790 and in accordance with OAR 918-306-0390.
  • Has test and measurement equipment meeting the requirements in NFPA 790 and in accordance with OAR 918-306-0400.
  • Maintains records in accordance with NFPA 790 and in accordance with OAR 918-306-0410.

Field evaluation bodies are approved for the duration of the body’s certificate of accreditation. If the accreditation does not have an expiration term the approval is for a period of three years.

Field evaluation bodies must have an active certificate of accreditation for the duration of the body’s approval term. If the field evaluation body’s accreditation status changes during the approval term, the body’s approval will be suspended until the certificate of accreditation is active again.

Any field evaluation body failing to comply with the requirements of this section or submitting false information may have its approval term suspended or terminated for one or more electrical product categories.

The division may suspend, terminate, or refuse to renew the approval term of any field evaluation body found to be in non-compliance with the requirements of the State of Oregon.

 

Approved field evaluation bodies

Approved testing laboratories

International approval services