How to list a product on the ETL: Understanding the application process

What manufacturers need to know before getting started

For manufacturers and suppliers, an ETL listing offers a free, government-backed route into a recognised market for energy efficient products. It provides independent verification of performance and helps place products in front of purchasers and specifiers who are actively looking for trusted, energy efficient options. 

The ETL helps the business and public sector compare energy efficient products with confidence. Crucially, it is specified in the Government Buying Standards (GBS) for electrical goods, which are mandatory for central government departments and recommended across the wider public sector, giving it a clear role in procurement. It also serves as a benchmark for SKA rating and links with the National Building Specification (NBS) platform, increasing visibility among specifiers, architects, and designers. For manufacturers, this strengthens market visibility and supports access to projects where independently verified energy efficiency matters. 

If you are considering an application, the process itself is straightforward. You are likely to have all you need already, and with the right preparation, listing your energy efficient products on the ETL is a simple and easy way to demonstrate your products’ performance and connect with a wider audience. 

A clear route to listing 

Applying to the ETL follows a simple path:  

1. Confirm your products eligibility
2. Prepare supporting information
3. Submit your application through the Manufacturer Portal 

Each stage plays a clear role. Eligibility ensures your product falls within the right category, while your supporting information demonstrates that it meets the criteria requirements. For most technologies, this includes testing documentation that evidences the product’s performance. The assessment team reviews this test evidence alongside other supporting information submitted as part of the application process to ensure that the product meets the ETL requirements. These checks provide the independent verification that gives the ETL its credibility and value to buyers. 

While the steps themselves are simple, the quality of the supporting documents you submit makes a significant difference. Applications move more smoothly when the required documentation and information is complete. 

Check product eligibility

Start by confirming that your product fits into an existing ETL technology category and meets the relevant criteria. 

Each category contains sub-technologies with their own performance requirements. Your product must meet all relevant criteria to be considered for listing, so it is worth checking them early. If a product does not meet the requirements, the application will be rejected automatically. To explore the sub-technologies, select the “More Information” link under the relevant category. Each sub-technology includes links to the latest ETL inclusion criteria and the product application checklist. 

The criteria are reviewed regularly through the ETL’s Annual Research Programme to ensure they remain aligned with the most energy efficient products on the market and wider industry developments. Even if you have listed products before, it is important to check the latest version before applying. 

Getting set up in the Manufacturer Portal 

Applications are submitted through the ETL Manufacturer Portal, where all company and product information are managed. If you are new to the ETL, you will need to register as a primary contact before starting an application. Listing on the ETL is free and open to any company supplying products to the UK. If your company is already registered, you can request access as a secondary contact, so your products are added to the existing company listings and remain easy for purchasers to find. 

The portal will guide you through the process, including the relevant application checklist and the information required. At this stage, accuracy and completeness are more important than speed. Clear product identification, including specific model numbers, is essential, particularly where multiple products are included in one application. 

Applications are typically easier to manage when products are grouped logically. Variants of the same core design can often be submitted together, while different designs are better handled separately. 

Bring together the supporting evidence 

A strong application requires correct and complete supporting documentation, which typically includes:  

• A completed application checklist, signed and dated 

• Sales and technical brochures for the product you are listing 

• Information on any representative models if already listed, e.g. test report. 

• Technical specification information  

• An ISO 9001 quality certificate  

• A declaration of conformity or proof of CE marking 

• Relevant product test reports and certificates 

The exact requirements will depend on the technology category, so manufacturers should always refer to the latest application checklist and guidance for their product type. 

For many products, performance evidence in the form of test reports is required. The acceptable testing routes vary by technology, and in many cases, manufacturers can choose from a number of recognised approaches to demonstrate performance. The ETL Testing Framework explains the options available for each technology category and the evidence required to support an application. In some cases, existing third-party certification can be used to support an application. For example, Eurovent Certification test reports can be used where they align with ETL criteria. This can help reduce duplication of testing and streamline the application process.

Where available, manufacturers are also encouraged to upload technical specification files and BIM object files as part of the application. These provide richer, more detailed information that supports designers, specifiers, and purchasers when evaluating products. If these files are not available at the point of submission, they can be added to an existing listing later by contacting the ETL team. 

The short video below outlines the key steps required for a successful application: 

Submitting and assessment 

Once you submit your application through the Manufacturer Portal, it will be checked to ensure that all required information and documentation have been provided before being reviewed as part of a technical assessment. If any clarification is needed, the ETL team will contact you. Responding promptly to these requests helps keep the workflow moving efficiently, with the procedure typically taking three to five weeks following submission. 

Successful applications are added to the ETL, which is updated regularly, and you will be notified. If an application is not successful, feedback as to why will be provided.  Since criteria are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain aligned with the most energy efficient products on the market, updates may affect existing listings. If your product listing is impacted, the ETL team will contact you directly to request any clarification or additional information required. 

When a technology is not yet covered 

If a product does not fit within an existing ETL category, there are routes forward through a New Technology Proposal (NTP). 

This process allows manufacturers and suppliers to suggest new technologies for consideration. These proposals are assessed through the ETL Annual Research Programme, taking into account energy and carbon saving potential, available test standards and alignment with wider policy. The NTP process is instrumental in growing and shaping the ETL scheme. Several technologies now included in the ETL have been introduced through this route including: 

• Battery Energy Storage  

• Thermal Energy Storage  

• Building Energy Management Systems  

• Commercial Fans 

• Professional Combi and Convection Ovens 

• Professional Dishwashers 

• Professional Grills   

• Professional Hobs   

• Tank & Vessel Insulation  

• Wastewater Heat Recovery Systems  

From application to opportunity

An ETL product listing gives manufacturers access to a recognised market for energy efficient products, helping raise visibility among business and public sector purchasers, professional specifiers and organisations seeking independently verified solutions. Because ETL-listed products align with stringently assessed performance criteria and industry best practice, listing can strengthen credibility in specification and procurement decisions, while helping reduce concerns over greenwashing.

Its value also extends beyond the listing itself, as products on the ETL benefit from ongoing promotion through ETL channels, including LinkedIn, newsletters, pay-per-click advertising and industry events. This helps maintain product visibility and strengthen brand credibility. There may also be opportunities to be featured in case studies, demonstrating how ETL-listed products are being applied in real-world settings and the impact they are delivering.

If you are ready to begin, the full guidance note sets out the application process in detail and explains the requirements for each stage. The ETL team are also available to help with any questions at info@etl.energysecurity.gov.uk.

Further information

See how an ETL listing can support growth or explore product categories on the Manufacturers page. 

Explore our Case Studies to see how ETL-listed products are showcased in practice. 

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