SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Notice of the Application for Expansion

OSHA is providing notice that RETC, LLC (RETC), is applying for expansion of the current recognition as a NRTL. RETC requests the addition of one recognized testing standard and one recognized testing site to the NRTL scope of recognition.

OSHA's recognition of a NRTL signifies that the organization meets the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.7. Recognition is an acknowledgment that the organization can perform independent safety testing and certification of the specific products covered within the scope of recognition. Each NRTL's scope of recognition includes: (1) the type of products the NRTL may test, with each type specified by the applicable test standard; and (2) the recognized site(s) that has/have the technical capability to perform the product-testing and product-certification activities for test standards within the NRTL's scope. Recognition is not a delegation or grant of government authority; however, recognition enables employers to use products approved by the NRTL to meet OSHA standards that require product testing and certification.

The agency processes applications by a NRTL for initial recognition and for an expansion or renewal of this recognition, following requirements in Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.7. This appendix requires that the agency publish two notices in the Federal Register in processing an application. In the first notice, OSHA announces the application and provides a preliminary finding. In the second notice, the agency provides a final decision on the application. These notices set forth the NRTL's scope of recognition or modifications of that scope. OSHA maintains an informational web page for each NRTL, including RETC, which details the NRTL's scope of recognition. These pages are available from the OSHA website at www.osha.gov/​dts/​otpca/​nrtl/​index.html.

II. General Background on the Application

RETC initially received OSHA recognition as a NRTL in a Federal Register notice (76 FR 16452, March 23, 2011). RETC was previously recognized by OSHA as TUV Rheinland PTL, then as SolarPTL, LLC (PTL), following a sale from TUV Rheinland PTL to PTL in October 2018, and is now recognized as RETC, following a sale from PTL to RETC in March 2024.

OSHA is now referring to this NRTL as “RETC, LLC,” in this and future Federal Register Notices. OSHA notes that it has not yet revised its website to reflect RETC's purchase of PTL. That is, the website continues to list PTL as a recognized NRTL with no mention of RETC (see www.osha.gov/​nationally-recognized-testing-laboratory-program/​solarptl). RETC has informed OSHA that it is currently seeking registration of its certification mark with the US Patent and Trademark Office and will continue to use the PTL mark until that registration is approved. When that registration is approved, OSHA will revise its website to reflect RETC's status as the NRTL of record.

When OSHA granted PTL's renewal of recognition on March 29, 2021 (86 FR 16394), OSHA required that PTL abide by the following conditions in addition to those conditions already required by 29 CFR 1910.7:

1. PTL must inform OSHA as soon as possible, in writing, of any change of ownership, facilities, or key personnel, and of any major change in their operations as a NRTL, and provide details of the change(s);

2. PTL must agree to increased OSHA oversight of their operations including:

(a) More frequent on-site assessments of PTL facilities; and

(b) PTL shall continue to provide OSHA with written notification of any new or revised NRTL certificates that it issues, within 7 calendar days of issuing the certification. This notification shall include:

(i) Name and address of the applicant;

(ii) Model number(s) for the certified products; ( printed page 59807)

(iii) PTL Certification number;

(iv) PTL Project number;

(v) Name(s) of PTL staff involved with the project; and

(vi) Location where the product evaluation and testing took place.

3. Upon request, PTL must provide copies of the test data, certification report and other related information for new or revised certifications to OSHA.

4. PTL must meet all the terms of their recognition and comply with all OSHA policies pertaining to this recognition; and

5. PTL must continue to meet the requirements for recognition, including all previously published conditions on PTL's scope of recognition, in all areas for which it has recognition.

These conditions continue to remain in place with respect to OSHA's recognition of RETC. RETC's scope of recognition currently includes one recognized site located at 1107 West Fairmont Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85282, which also currently functions as its headquarters.

RETC submitted an application to OSHA for expansion of this NRTL's scope of recognition. The application, dated November 22, 2024 (OSHA-2010-0013-0012), requested the expansion of the NRTL scope of recognition to include one additional testing site located at: 46457 Landing Pkwy., Fremont, CA 94538.^[1] That application was updated on December 5, 2024 (OSHA-2010-0013-0013) to add one standard to the original submission. In total, the amended expansion application requested the addition of a total of one standard and one site to the NRTL scope of recognition. OSHA staff performed an on-site review of RETC's testing facilities on March 3-5, 2026, in which assessors found some nonconformances with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.7. RETC has addressed these issues sufficiently, and OSHA staff has preliminarily determined that OSHA should grant the application.

Table 1, below, lists the appropriate test standard found in RETC's application for expansion for testing and certification of products under the NRTL Program.

III. Preliminary Findings on the Application

RETC submitted an acceptable application for expansion of the scope of recognition. OSHA's review of the application files and pertinent documentation indicates that RETC has met the requirements prescribed by 29 CFR 1910.7 for expanding the recognition to include the addition of one proposed test site and the test standards for NRTL testing and certification listed in Table 1. This preliminary finding does not constitute an interim or temporary approval of RETC's application.

OSHA seeks comment on this preliminary determination.

IV. Public Participation

OSHA welcomes public comment as to whether RETC meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.7 for expansion of recognition as a NRTL. Comments should consist of pertinent written documents and exhibits.

Commenters needing more time to comment must submit a request in writing, stating the reasons for the request by the due date for comments. OSHA will limit any extension to 10 days unless the requester justifies a longer time period. OSHA may deny a request for an extension if it is not adequately justified.

To review copies of the exhibits identified in this notice, as well as comments submitted to the docket, contact the Docket Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. These materials also are generally available online at www.regulations.gov under Docket No. OSHA-2010-0013 (for further information, see the “ Docket” heading in the section of this notice titled ADDRESSES ).

OSHA staff will review all comments to the docket submitted in a timely manner. After addressing the issues raised by these comments, staff will make a recommendation to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health on whether to grant RETC's application for expansion of the scope of recognition. The Assistant Secretary will make the final decision on granting the application. In making this decision, the Assistant Secretary may undertake other proceedings prescribed in Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.7.

OSHA will publish a public notice of the final decision in the Federal Register .

V. Authority and Signature

Amanda Laihow, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210, authorized the preparation of this notice. Accordingly, the agency is issuing this notice pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 657(g)(2), Secretary of Labor's Order No. 7-2025 (90 FR 27878; June 30, 2025), and 29 CFR 1910.7.

91 FR 59806