TSCA (Electric)

How to Apply for RUS Acceptance

Updated: January 13, 2022

Page 1 of 3

GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR APPLYING FOR ACCEPTANCE OF PRODUCTS TECHNICAL 

STANDARDS COMMITTEE “A” (ELECTRIC PROGRAMS)

This document provides only general guidance for applying for acceptance. It is intended for use with Specific 

Information Sheets, which provide detailed information concerning samples, test reports, and other 

documentation that must be submitted for a particular type of product. Do not rely on this document alone. You 

must also obtain Specific Information Sheets. For more information, see the Electric Program website For 

Engineers or contact Technical Standards Committee “A”.

Norris W. Nicholson, Chair

Technical Standards Committee “A”

Phone: (202) 720-1979

E-Mail: Norris.Nicholson@usda.gov

Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/services/engineers

The application package must include 1 signed electronic copy (in Adobe pdf format, in a single file) of the

following information:

1. Letter of Application requesting acceptance of the product. The letter should be specific as to what 

products are to be considered for acceptance. The letter and all accompanying material must be submitted in 

Adobe pdf format as 1 single file. The letter must be signed by an authorized designee of the manufacturer. 

The following information must be in the letter itself or submitted as attachments to the letter.

1.1. Listing Format (Category/Subcategory): The submitter must provide the proposed listing format of the 

product. The proposed listing format must be consistent with the category/subcategory listings as 

shown in the currently published RUS List of Materials. Use the MS Word or Adobe pdf files to edit 

the page, category, subcategory, and listing format of the proposed product to show exactly how it 

should appear. The List of Materials can be downloaded from the RUS Electric Program website in MS 

Word or Adobe pdf formats:

List of Materials (Microsoft Word or Adobe pdf)

Technical List of Materials (Microsoft Word or Adobe pdf)

RUS Material Requirement Specific Information Sheets

1.2. Product Description: Specific catalog numbers for each item need to be included.

1.3. Statement of Origin: A statement of origin for all products under consideration in the application must 

be included in the letter of request and the statement should be presented in the following format:

1.3.1. “(IDENTIFY PRODUCT) is manufactured in (IDENTIFY COUNTRY), substantially all from 

articles, materials, or supplies mined, produced, or manufactured in (IDENTIFY COUNTRY OR 
TSCA (Electric)

How to Apply for RUS Acceptance

Updated: January 13, 2022

Page 2 of 3

COUNTRIES).”

1.3.2. The statement of origin may be included in the letter of application or as a separate signed 

(original signature) attachment. 

1.3.3. Buy American Requirements: All products applying for the List of Materials must meet RUS 

Electric Program regulation 7 CFR 1787 Buy American Requirements.

1.4. Manufacturing facility location: All applications, including renewals of technical acceptances, must 

specify the physical addresses of all the manufacturing plants where products under consideration are 

produced.

1.5. Corporate mailing address: The application must clearly state the corporate mailing address to which 

official correspondence is to be sent.

1.6. Background Information: Manufacturers applying for the first time and manufacturers that merge with 

other companies should provide background information about their companies. Information furnished 

should include:

1.6.1. A brief company history,

1.6.2. Addresses of company headquarters,

1.6.3. Names, office addresses, and telephone numbers of key personnel with brief biographies and,

1.6.4. Brief description of how the company proposes to support all its products under consideration, 

especially products previously manufactured by the non-surviving company of a merge, should 

agency borrowers encounter difficulties using them.

1.7. List of Users: A partial list of domestic (United States) and/or non-domestic users and/or distributors 

should be provided along with contact information of those users.

1.8. Quality Control/Quality Assurance: The application should include a description of the manufacturer’s 

established quality control and quality assurance procedures for the products submitted for 

consideration.

2. Attachments to the Letter of Application should include the information requested on the appropriate 

Specific Information Sheet. In general, this includes all pertinent descriptive information such as drawings 

and catalog sheets detailing dimensions, materials, finish and ratings of the product, and the installation and 

maintenance instructions when appropriate. Information needed for reviewing the item needs to be 

sufficiently detailed and descriptive to demonstrate sound engineering and product integrity.

3. Samples should be submitted in accordance with the Specific Information Sheet. Prior to the 

submission of a large or bulky sample, please contact the Committee Chair for instructions. Samples may be 

returned at expense of the manufacturer after Committee consideration. If the samples are to be returned, 

please indicate that in your letter of application. We will need a prepaid return shipping label. In some cases, 

we will also need appropriate packaging. If the manufacturer does not wish the samples returned all items 

will be recycled.
TSCA (Electric)

How to Apply for RUS Acceptance

Updated: January 13, 2022

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4. Test reports need to include:

4.1. Name of the firm performing the test and location of the test facility, 

4.1.1. in-house testing will be acceptable if proper standards procedures are followed.

4.2. Names and titles of individual(s) conducting the test,

4.3. Date the test was performed,

4.4. Description of item(s) being tested, including model and serial numbers, if appropriate,

4.5. Test procedure followed (either a detailed description of the test procedure or reference to a RUS 

specification and/or appropriate national standard),

4.6. Units used in test reports or shown on drawings must be U.S. customary units unless the specification 

or standard specifies SI units,

4.7. Test reports, drawing/schematic details and associated information must be in

4.8. English, or have a translated copy attached, and

4.9. Signature of individual conducting the test or an official representative of the test facility.

4.10. The background and qualifications of the individual performing the tests should also be included.

4.11. If tests are performed in accordance with a standard other than the ones specified by the RUS, it 

is up to the submitter to provide documentation showing that the data shows compliance with the 

standards referenced in the specific information sheet. One method is to prepare a paragraph-byparagraph comparison of the standards.

5. The application should be sent to:

Electronic File:

Norris W. Nicholson, Chair

Technical Standards Committee “A” (Electric)

E-Mail: Norris.Nicholson@usda.gov

Samples:

Chair, Technical Standards Committee “A” (Electric) 

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Rural Utilities Service

1400 Independence Ave., S.W., South Building, Room 4134

Washington, D.C. 20250