What type of inspection is conducted by NRTLs?

NRTLs, or Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, conduct factory inspections to evaluate the compliance of manufacturing processes with safety and performance standards. These inspections are part of the certification process, ensuring that products are manufactured consistently in accordance with established guidelines.

Factory inspections typically involve assessing facilities where products are made, examining equipment, reviewing quality control procedures, and ensuring that the production methods meet the laboratory's specifications and safety standards. By performing these inspections, NRTLs help to guarantee that electrical and other products are safe for consumer use and comply with regulatory requirements.

Other types of inspections listed, such as environmental, recruitment, and regulatory inspections, do not fall under the typical responsibilities or focus of NRTLs. Environmental inspections usually assess the impact of activities on the environment, recruitment inspections would pertain to hiring practices, and regulatory inspections are often conducted by government bodies to enforce compliance with specific laws rather than being the role of NRTLs. Thus, factory inspections are the appropriate context for NRTLs’ functions.