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The safety certification markings you see on consumer products ranging from machinery to electronics will be found  on labels attached to the product. These markings indicate that the product has met the safety standards for the country they are certified for. In Canada, the Standard Council of Canada under the National Standards System set the standards for safety certification.  It is independent organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories of Canada,  or the Canadian Standards Association who do the safety certifications.

The most recognized safety certification markings are the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada ULC, or the Canadian Standards Association CSA. Walk-in tubs are manufactured in number of countries and the very few walk-in safety tubs that are said to be made in Canada have most of their components made elsewhere. The letter C should be displayed on the safety marking to indicate a product has met Canadian Safety Standards.  Walk-in safety tubs may only have the certification for the countries they were first manufactured for, such as the UL certification for the USA, or CE certification for Europe.

If you have purchased a walk-in tub with electrical components not having the letter “C” to signify Canadian safety certification, it normally does not pose a problem.  An electrician can still be contracted to run the wires from the main electrical panel into the bathroom, make the electrical connections to the outlet box and install the GFI’s(ground fault interrupters). However, it will have to be the company installers, or the home owner, who plug the electrical components into the electrical boxes or make the final connections because of the electrician’s liability insurance.

If a walk-in tub company installing a tub has an electrical clause somewhere on their contract stating the homeowner is responsible to arrange and pay for the electrical.  There is a very good chance the electrical components on their tub may not be certified for Canada and they do not want to be held liable.  In addition, there is no reason for companies not to post their products safety certification markings.

Links:  Underwriters Labratories   Canadian Standards Association