No ETL Mark, No Market: Compliance Requirements for Commercial Refrigeration Equipment in the U.S.

For manufacturers targeting the U.S. market, the key to success in commercial ice cream machines, slush machines, ice makers, and other frozen beverage equipment lies not only in production capacity, quality, or brand recognition.

An often-overlooked factor may cause you to lose access to the U.S. market: ETL certification.

Why ETL Certification Is Critical for the U.S. Market

For restaurants, cafés, and distributors in the U.S., purchasing decisions for refrigeration or beverage equipment are not only about performance.
They also ask: Can this machine pass local inspection and meet safety standards?
If not, they will immediately refuse to purchase the product.

ETL certification, issued by Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL), is one of the recognized safety certification marks in North America.
It demonstrates that the product and its manufacturing facilities comply with accepted electrical and safety standards.

For American businesses, buying a machine without ETL certification means no assurance of safety, delayed inspections, potential liability, and limited resale opportunities.
In other words, no certification means no deal.

ETL Certification Process

Understanding this process helps explain the concerns of U.S. buyers and the true value of certification.

Main Steps of ETL Certification:

Product Testing: Samples are tested according to applicable safety standards (electrical, mechanical, etc.).

Factory Inspection: The manufacturing site is reviewed for process and production control compliance.

Labeling and Registration: Once approved, the product can display the ETL mark and the manufacturer will be listed in the public directory.

Ongoing Compliance: Regular inspections ensure that the product continues to meet the required standards.

For exporters to the U.S., both the cost of certification and the risk of not having it must be carefully considered.

Common Issues: Consequences of Skipping Certification

Machines without certification may face additional testing requirements from distributors—or outright rejection.
Most resellers avoid non-compliant products, limiting your market access and potential sales opportunities.
You may also face higher liability if equipment malfunctions or safety issues occur.
In short, skipping certification may save costs initially, but the risks and losses far outweigh any savings.

What the New U.S. Regulations Mean for Smartool Customers

For American restaurants, cafés, and distributors, safety and compliance now outweigh all other factors.
Simply labeling a product as “commercial” is no longer enough — ETL certification has become an essential part of procurement.

Smartool understands this shift deeply.
We have invested in certification, factory audits, and documentation to ensure our equipment complies with the latest U.S. safety standards.
This means you can purchase and use Smartool equipment with complete confidence.

How to Verify a Supplier’s ETL Certification

When dealing with suppliers, you can request to view their ETL certificates for refrigeration or beverage machines.
To verify, go to the official website www.intertek.com, find the ETL Listed Mark Directory at the top right, then click “Search the ETL Listed Mark Directory.”
On the certification search page, enter the company name or product model.

Note: ETL certificates cannot be searched using the ETL Control Number — this is a major difference between ETL and UL certification lookup methods.

For convenience, you can also go directly to the certification page:
Intertek ETL Listed Directory (intertekconnect.com)
Then, input the model number or company name you want to check.

Doing your safety checks now helps you avoid losing orders and ensures you’re using compliant, safe equipment.

Smartool’s Commitment to Safety and Compliance — Your Reliable Choice

At Smartool, we not only maintain high standards for performance but also place great importance on safety and compliance for frozen beverage machines.
All of our commercial slush machines, ice cream machines, and ice makers entering the U.S. market have undergone safety testing and obtained ETL certification.
We provide complete documentation, factory audit records, and clear certification labels to support your purchasing and usage needs.

As your business partner, we also offer guidance on certification verification to help you avoid procurement risks.
Choosing Smartool means purchasing not only equipment but also reliability, compliance, and trusted service.