The global lockdown last year brought new challenges and encouraged what many now call a “circular mindset.” With today’s economic and environmental pressures, this approach matters more than ever. The circular mindset is about cutting waste and pollution by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. When equipment or products reach the end of their life, they are often remanufactured to a “like-new” condition. This is also called rebuilding, refurbishing, reconditioning, or renovating.

If you see the UL Mark on new equipment, it means the product met all national safety standards when it left the factory. This mark shows it is ready for sale or installation under the rules. For reconditioned or rebuilt products, though, the UL Mark by itself does not guarantee they meet safety requirements unless extra checks are done.

To ensure reconditioned equipment is safe and approved for use, Section 110.21(A)(2) of the 2020 NEC® now requires these products to be clearly marked as “reconditioned” and to have the original listing mark removed. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has also set its own guidelines for reconditioned electrical equipment. The NEMA Policy outlines the industry’s views on the safety and suitability of these products, as described in NEC 2020.

With all the focus on remanufacturing and sustainability, you might wonder if these reconditioned products are safe to use. Experts say that circular opportunities worldwide could save more than $700 billion in materials. Businesses and communities, big and small, are relying more on financial incentives and customer preferences. New regulations are also being introduced to help products last longer.

Reconditioning industrial equipment helps you meet safety standards and can add years to your equipment’s life. By repairing or replacing worn parts and upgrading systems, you improve efficiency, reduce unexpected downtime, and restore performance to close to original or even better levels. This approach often saves money compared to buying new equipment.

At Enviro-Tech-Coatings, we offer a wide range of coating, painting and metal finishing services for many industries. We maintain Air Permits and are a fully approved site for blasting and painting. For reconditioning of used equipment, we provide full surface reconditioning services on industrial equipment and machinery. To learn more, please contact us today.