An RETL (Renewable Energy Test Laboratory) is the highest level of quality assurance for wind energy testing services, providing globally recognized test reports. RETLs undergo regular assessments of their personnel, equipment, procedures and reports to ensure consistent, accurate testing according to IEC standards. Test reports from RETLs are accepted worldwide without needing retesting, streamlining international trade. Manufacturers and OEMs benefit from the highest standards of quality, accountability and mutual recognition that RETLs provide.
An RETL (Renewable Energy Test Laboratory) is the highest level of quality assurance for wind energy testing services, providing globally recognized test reports. RETLs undergo regular assessments of their personnel, equipment, procedures and reports to ensure consistent, accurate testing according to IEC standards. Test reports from RETLs are accepted worldwide without needing retesting, streamlining international trade. Manufacturers and OEMs benefit from the highest standards of quality, accountability and mutual recognition that RETLs provide.
An RETL (Renewable Energy Test Laboratory) is the highest level of quality assurance for wind energy testing services, providing globally recognized test reports. RETLs undergo regular assessments of their personnel, equipment, procedures and reports to ensure consistent, accurate testing according to IEC standards. Test reports from RETLs are accepted worldwide without needing retesting, streamlining international trade. Manufacturers and OEMs benefit from the highest standards of quality, accountability and mutual recognition that RETLs provide.
An RETL (Renewable Energy Test Laboratory) is the highest level of quality assurance for wind energy testing services, providing globally recognized test reports. RETLs undergo regular assessments of their personnel, equipment, procedures and reports to ensure consistent, accurate testing according to IEC standards. Test reports from RETLs are accepted worldwide without needing retesting, streamlining international trade. Manufacturers and OEMs benefit from the highest standards of quality, accountability and mutual recognition that RETLs provide.
When ordering testing services for wind energy, An RETL will be periodically re-assessed and a subset of the issued a manufacturer or OEM has choices on what reports will be checked for compliance with the IEC Standards kind of service provider to use. Three distinct guaranteeing continuously consistent, complete, accurate, and categories of laboratories can be distinguished thorough quality. with increasing level of quality assurance: An RETL works together with other RETLs and certification bodies to laboratories that claim to follow the IEC testing Standards develop clarification sheets which may result in, and contribute to, laboratories that are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited to IEC testing amendments and corrigenda for IEC Standards to ensure a global Standards unified application of the standards. IECRE renewable energy test laboratories (RETLs) that have been RETL reports are mutually recognized to be accepted by any assessed and accepted for testing to specific IEC Standards in certification body participating in the IECRE System. accordance with the IECRE System’s procedures and operational documents
How does this add value for the end user?
What is an RETL? — — All RETLs are held to the highest possible quality standards in the An RETL participates in proficiency testing on a global basis with industry. a large pool of participants. The larger the pool, the better the All RETLs have ongoing scrutiny of their personnel, equipment, comparison of performance will be. procedures and test reports, ensuring this quality. Without any exception, an RETL is assessed by technically competent Test reports issued by an RETL are accepted by any certification peers who know exactly what the items impacting the quality of test body participating in the IECRE System through mutual recognition, results are. This assessment also includes witnessing of ongoing tests. reducing the need to repeat tests and facilitating international trade. An RETL is assessed with respect to competence areas based on IEC There is a formal appeal process through which an RETL is held Standards. accountable. An RETL will also have ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. How to verify if a laboratory is an RETL? Will test reports be published? — — 1. Visit: www.iecre.org/members/testlabs for a list of accepted Test reports will be sent by the RETL to the client. A copy of the front RETLs in the different renewable energy sectors. page will be sent to the IECRE secretariat for registration. No content 2. Click on the laboratory of choice, this will provide you the location of the test report will be published. The number of the test report of the accepted laboratory. may be published on a certificate if the test report is used as part of 3. Click on the “Scope” tab. This will show the IEC Standard(s) with conformity assessment. which the RETL has been assessed and accepted.
Can I use an RETL only for certification?
Will an RETL cost more? — — An RETL can also provide services outside of the range of certification. The RETL may have to pay a small fee to the IECRE System. This Any service can be provided independently on a stand-alone basis fee is used for the administration of the IECRE System, confidentially such as performance verification or load measurements. The tracking reports, dispute resolution, etc. acceptance within the IECRE as an approved RETL guarantees the quality of these services based on IEC Standards as well.
Services currently covered by RETL
Anemometer calibration as per IEC 61400-12-1
Power performance measurements as per IEC 61400-12-1 Mechanical load measurements as per IEC 61400-1 Full-scale structural testing of rotor blades as per IEC 61400-23 Acoustic noise measurements as per IEC 61400-11 Measurements of electrical characteristics as per IEC 61400-21
Additional services expected to be added in the near future include
Lidar classification as per IEC 61400-12-1
Lightning protection system testing as per IEC 61400-24 Safety and function testing as per IEC 61400-1 Site suitability as per IEC 61400-15 Gearbox testing as per IEC 61400-4
IEC System for Certification to 3 rue de Varembé T +41 22 919 0211
Standards Relating to Equipment for PO Box 131 CH-1211 Geneva 20 [email protected] www.iecre.org Use in Renewable Energy Applications Switzerland
