TÜV Rheinland Gains Field Evaluation Body Accreditation from the International Accreditation Service

LITTLETON, Mass., Feb. 27, 2018 -- TÜV Rheinland, a leading international testing service provider for quality and safety, today announced it has been accredited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS) as a Field Evaluation Body (FEB) qualified to inspect, test and evaluate unlisted electrical equipment. IAS is one of the leading accreditation bodies in the United States, formed to recognize competent inspection firms worldwide.

As an accredited FEB, TÜV Rheinland is proven to meet strict guidelines established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 790, “Standard for Competency of Third Party Evaluation Bodies” and NFPA 791, “Recommended Practice and Procedures for Unlabeled Equipment Evaluation.” TÜV Rheinland also holds proper credentials to assist Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) in approving unlabeled and unlisted electrical equipment in the field.

In the workplace, electrical equipment that has not been properly labeled to meet safety requirements by the manufacturer requires evaluation and certification by an independent field inspector. This situation most frequently occurs with newly-introduced equipment, limited-production equipment, or refurbished devices. The field inspector is called in to determine whether the device in question complies with applicable safety codes, document the findings and provide a comprehensive report to the AHJ for approval, if appropriate.

“TÜV Rheinland is extremely excited to receive IAS accreditation as an FEB,” said Jonathan Kotrba, director, commercial products at TÜV Rheinland. “We see an especially prevalent need for qualified inspection professionals in medical facilities, where new technology is coming online all the time that may or may not carry proper electrical credentials. The last thing you expect as a patient or visitor entering the hospital is to be exposed to an infinitely preventable electrical hazard. Our skilled field evaluation team is focused on mitigating these kinds of risks, in healthcare centers or any workplace, and the FEB accreditation only helps expand awareness of the important job they do.”

TÜV Rheinland is approved to inspect all categories of electrical products identified in NFPA 790, as follows:

• Power distribution equipment both under and over 600 volts
• Industrial control and utilization equipment, including factory automation
• Commercial utilization equipment and appliances including cooking and HVACR equipment
• Luminaires (lighting fixtures) and signs, including LED
• Medical and dental equipment
• Information technology equipment including UPS systems
• Wet location equipment including pools, spas, hot tubs and fountain equipment
• Hazardous location equipment
• All other similar electrical equipment

For more information visit www.tuv.com/en/.

About TÜV Rheinland:
TÜV Rheinland is a global leader in independent inspection services, founded 145 years ago. The group maintains a worldwide presence with 19,700 employees; annual turnover is more than EUR 1.9 billion. The independent experts stand for quality and safety for people, technology and the environment in nearly all aspects of life. TÜV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products and services, oversees projects, and helps to shape processes and information security for companies. Its experts train people in a wide range of careers and industries. To this end, TÜV Rheinland employs a global network of approved labs, testing and education centers. Since 2006, TÜV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.tuv.com.

CONTACT:
Frank Dudley
Director Communications
TÜV Rheinland of North America, Inc.
(978) 266-9500

Devan Bahr
Scratch Marketing + Media
[email protected]