NEMA ratings - certification required?

[shackney]

What are the constraints to putting a NEMA rating on an enclosure?

Specifically, I am contemplating having an enclosure custom designed or modified for an existing product. The purpose of the change is to improve/upgrade the protection to allow NEMA rating. I have no trouble reading and understanding the NEMA specifications, but I have not been able to find anything that explains the constraints to putting a NEMA rating on our literature.

I know that NEMA does not do conformity assessment. I have seen pointers on their site to accredited labs. Is there a requirement to use an accredited lab to accumulate data? Is a registration or other authorization required from NEMA before I can use their name and rating in our publications? Or is all of this constrained by my judgement, common sense (and tort law)?

Any help appreciated.

Steve

 

[renasis]

Actually I contacted NEMA and found out about this the other day. This was their statement:

NEMA standards are voluntary. NEMA neither tests products nor certifies that a product complies with a given NEMA standard. A manufacturer can choose to self-certify or to seek independent third-party verification(testing) that the product complies with the NEMA standard. This decision
is based on the requirements of the marketplace, e.g., a test agency Listing or Mark may be required. The following link will take you to a list of testing agencies.

http://www.nema.org/index_nema.cfm/1611/.

Robert