Article 100 Labeled.
Code Change Summary: A new informational note has been added after the definition of “labeled”.
The general rule is that when a product is “listed” by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the next step is to label it with the listing label so that its listing is evident. Many products are required by the NEC® to be “listed”. One example is Section 410.6 which states:
410.6 Listing Required. All luminaires, lampholders, and retrofit kits shall be listed.
UL, among other NRTL’s, uses the UL standards when listing (certifying) a product to a specific product category. Many UL product categories specify that the UL label is to be placed by the manufacturer on the actual product but some products (wire nuts for example) may be too small to bear the required marking and therefore the UL label is permitted to be placed on the smallest unit container in which the product is packaged (the box that the product comes in).
In the 2020 NEC®, the new informational note after the definition of “labeled” makes it clear that the listing label is not always on the actual product and may be on the package instead.
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2017 Code Language:
Article 100.
Labeled. Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of labeled equipment or materials, and by whose labeling the manufacturer indicates compliance with appropriate standards or performance in a specified manner.
2020 Code Language:
Article 100.
Labeled. Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of labeled equipment or materials, and by whose labeling the manufacturer indicates compliance with appropriate standards or performance in a specified manner. (CMP-1)
Informational Note: If a listed product is of such a size, shape, material, or surface texture that it is not possible to apply legibly the complete label to the product, the complete label may appear on the smallest unit container in which the product is packaged.