Product Safety Consulting (PSC) has renewed its accreditation in the SGS Data Acceptance Program (DAP), a designation the company has now held for one year. The renewal wasn’t automatic or cheap. It required a substantial investment plus staff time and
resources to maintain. But for manufacturers who need NRTL certification in the U.S., it’s the kind of behind-the-scenes credential that can save real money and real time. Here’s what it means, and why it matters more than most people realize.
What Is the SGS Data Acceptance Program?
The SGS Data Acceptance Program (DAP) is a formal arrangement that allows SGS, one of the world’s leading Nationally ecognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs), to accept test data generated by an outside lab like PSC without re-running the tests themselves.
In plain terms: when PSC tests a product and generates the data under the DAP accreditation, SGS can use that data directly to issue NRTL certification. No duplicate testing. No second lab fee. No waiting for a second round of results.
How This Differs from ANAB/ILAC Accreditation
PSC also holds ANAB/ILAC accreditation, which is a separate but related credential. Here’s the distinction:
| Accreditation | What It Covers | Who Accepts the Data |
|---|---|---|
| ANAB/ILAC | International recognition of PSC’s testing competence | Certification bodies around the world |
| SGS DAP | Specific data-sharing agreement with SGS | SGS, for NRTL certification in the U.S. |
Both matter, but they solve different problems. ANAB/ILAC opens doors internationally. SGS DAP speeds up the specific path to U.S. NRTL certification through SGS.
Why This Renewal Matters
PSC first entered the SGS DAP program a year ago and has now completed its first renewal, a process that isn’t just a formality. It requires ongoing investment to maintain, and PSC made that investment deliberately. The renewal reflects a broader commitment: helping manufacturers get to market as quickly as possible. With companies under constant pressure to shorten product development timelines and control certification costs, having a testing lab that can feed data directly into SGS’s NRTL certification process is a meaningful advantage, not just a compliance checkbox. It’s part of how PSC continues to support clients through a faster, more direct path to certification.
What This Means for Manufacturers
If you’re bringing a product to market that requires NRTL certification, working with a lab that holds SGS DAP accreditation can:
Cut certification time. Data doesn’t need to be duplicated or re-tested by SGS.
Reduce cost. Avoiding duplicate testing means avoiding duplicate testing fees.
Simplify the process. One lab relationship, one set of test data, accepted directly by SGS for certification purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is an NRTL?
A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) is an organization recognized by OSHA to test and certify products for safety in the U.S. SGS is one of these organizations.
Does SGS DAP accreditation replace ANAB/ILAC accreditation?
No. They serve different purposes. ANAB/ILAC supports international recognition of PSC’s test data. SGS DAP specifically allows SGS to accept that data for NRTL certification in the U.S.
How long has PSC held SGS DAP accreditation?
PSC has been part of the program for one year and just completed its first renewal.
Why does the renewal cost matter to clients?
Maintaining the accreditation requires an ongoing investment on PSC’s end. The payoff for clients is a faster, more direct path
to NRTL certification, without that cost being passed along as a separate line item for duplicate testing.
Bottom Line
Accreditations like this one don’t make headlines often, but they directly affect how fast and how much it costs to get a product certified. PSC’s renewed SGS DAP accreditation means manufacturers working with the company have a more direct path to NRTL
certification through SGS, with less duplication and fewer delays. If your product needs NRTL certification and you want to know whether the SGS DAP pathway applies to your testing needs, reach out to Product Safety Consulting to discuss your specific product category.