Cable Certifications Every Distributor Should Know
Written By: Elyza Castillo
Posted September 30, 2025
Cable Certifications Every Distributor Should Know
A long-time customer calls. Their project failed inspection because the cable wasn’t certified. Now they are facing delays, extra costs, and frustration. They are looking to you for answers.
It’s a scenario no distributor wants to experience. And it’s why certifications matter.
Certifications go beyond the stamp on a cable jacket. They prove the product meets strict safety, performance, and compliance standards. Supplying certified cables protects your customers’ projects and your reputation.
What Are Cable Certifications?
A cable certification is an official confirmation from a standards body or testing agency that a product meets defined safety, performance, or environmental requirements. Cables earn these marks only after going through testing and quality checks. For distributors, certifications provide assurance that the product is compliant, reliable, and ready to meet inspection standards. In short, a certification is proof that a cable will perform as expected.
With that foundation in mind, here are the certifications that set the standard in the U.S. market.
Key Certifications Distributors Should Know
National Electrical Code (NEC)
The NEC sets the baseline for safe electrical installations in the United States. Updated every three years, it outlines how cables must perform to be code-compliant.
NEC-compliant cables are tested for:
Fire resistance and flame spread
Temperature and current-carrying capacity
Voltage insulation and environmental suitability
Compatibility with approved installation methods
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
UL is an independent testing organization that evaluates electrical products for safety. UL certification confirms a cable has passed rigorous lab tests and ongoing quality audits.
Distributors can trust UL cables for:
Reliable fire and smoke performance
Consistent electrical performance under load and temperature changes
Durability under stress and environmental exposure
Resistance to chemicals and degradation
You may also see the ETL mark on some cables. ETL (part of Intertek) is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, and its listings follow the same safety standards as UL and CSA. For distributors, an ETL Listed cable carries the same recognition with inspectors and regulators.
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
RoHS focuses on environmental safety by limiting hazardous materials in electrical products. Developed in the EU, RoHS standards are now widely adopted across U.S. supply chains.
RoHS-compliant cables are manufactured without:
Lead (Pb)
Mercury (Hg)
Cadmium (Cd)
Hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺)
Certain flame retardants (PBB, PBDE)
For distributors, RoHS compliance means supplying products that support sustainability initiatives, meet environmental regulations, and reduce health risks during manufacturing, installation, and disposal.
Why This Matters
As a distributor, you are the link between manufacturers and the field. Supplying certified cable protects customers from costly risks and safeguards your business.
Compliance: Inspectors check for certification marks. If a cable is not certified, projects can fail inspection.
Risk management: Insurance coverage often depends on using certified components.
Reputation: Certified cables reduce failures, callbacks, and warranty issues, building customer trust.
Efficiency: Reliable, compliant products save time and prevent rework.
The DWC Difference
Every cable you source from DWC meets or exceeds NEC and UL standards. That means fewer inspection delays, fewer callbacks, and more trust from your customers. With spec sheets at your fingertips and responsive support from our team, you can move fast and stay compliant.
Have a question about certification requirements or need help matching specs to a customer’s application? Connect with your DWC Account Manager today.