Product Safety Tips for Consumers
When searching for electrical products, be sure to choose those with a recognized Canadian certification mark. A mark ensures your products were independently tested to applicable standards.
See the list below of marks to look for.
Why Recognized Marks?
Before any electrical product is used, sold, displayed, or advertised in Ontario, it must be evaluated and approved by an accredited certification or field evaluation agency.
Products with a recognized mark or label have completed this process. Using or selling unapproved electrical equipment can potentially pose a safety risk in Ontario.
Visit this page for a complete list of marks.
The use of unapproved equipment or products is against the law in Ontario and can potentially put you, your property, and others at risk.
| BACL (Bay Area Compliance Laboratories) |   |
| Bureau Veritas Canada (Formerly known as Curtis Straus LLC) |  |
| Canadian Group for Approval Inc. (CGA) |  |
| Canadian Standards Association (CSA) |    |
| DEKRA Certification BV |   |
| Electrical Safety Authority – Field Evaluation (ESAFE) |  |
| FM Approvals LLC |  |
| ICC NTA, LLC |  |
| IAPMO Ventures, LLC dba IAPMO EGS |    |
| International Testing laboratory Inc. |   |
| Intertek Testing Services |     |
| LabTest Certification Inc. |   |
| Eurofins Electrical and Electronic Testing NA, Inc (Formally known as MET Laboratories Inc) |
   |
| Nemko North America, Inc. |      |
| NSF International |  |
| OMNI Environmental Services Inc |  |
| QPS Evaluation Services, Inc. |  |
| Quality Auditing Institute (QAI) |    |
| SGS |     |
| TR Arnold and Associates, Inc. |  |
| TÜV Rheinland of North America, Inc. |      |
| TÜV SÜD America Inc. |    |
| Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada (ULC) |  |
| Underwriters’ Laboratories Inc. |      |
Buying Electrical Products
You should always look for a recognized Canadian certification mark when shopping for electrical products—whether it’s a plug-in adapter, EV charger, or a major appliance. It’s the best way to ensure the product is approved and tested to applicable standards.
Also, keep in mind:
- Buy from trusted retailers and reputable sources.
- Check product descriptions for certification details. If it's not mentioned, contact the seller to confirm.
- Watch for typos or vague information, which may signal counterfeit products.
- Use filters on online shopping platforms to narrow results to certified items.
Holiday Decorating Safety Tips
General Guidelines
- Look for certified products to reduce electrical hazards.
- Follow manufacturer instructions for installation and use.
- Remove decorations after the holidays as they’re not meant for year-round use.
Holiday lights
- Use lights rated for indoor or outdoor use appropriately.
- Replace damaged cords, plugs, or ornaments.
- Avoid overloading outlets as this can cause overheating and fires.
- Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) for outdoor setups.
- Turn off lights when leaving home or going to bed.
Extension cords and outlets
- Don’t overload cords or circuits.
- Tripped breakers may signal too many items on one circuit.
- Never remove the grounding pin from plugs.
- Avoid running cords under rugs, through doors/windows, or across walkways.
- Keep outdoor cords dry and elevated.
- Keep cords away from pets and children.
Decorating Safely
- Connect light strings as directed.
- Keep bulbs away from flammable materials.
- Use clips (not staples or nails) to hang lights.
- Stay at least 3 meters from powerlines when using ladders or decorating trees.
Hiring a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC)
If you are looking to hire someone to install an electrical product that you purchased, make sure they are a Licensed Electrical Contractor, as they will have the right expertise, equipment, and training.
Find a Licensed Electrical Contractor Near You
Ensure you hire someone who can legally do electrical work in Ontario.
Report Unsafe Electrical Products
If your electrical item is unsafe, or does not have a certification mark, do not use it, and return to the seller.
Report the issue or sale of an uncertified product here. or sale of an uncertified product.
