CIDET
CIDET is a Medellín-based Colombian non-profit corporation providing accredited electrical certification, inspection, testing, calibration, consulting, and training services under RETIE/RETILAP to manufacturers, energy distributors, and industrial clients across Colombia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersMedellín, Colombia
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CIDET does
CIDET (Corporación Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico del Sector Eléctrico) is a Medellín-based, Colombian non-profit corporation founded in 1995 that delivers accredited testing, inspection, certification, consulting, and training services to the Colombian electrical industry. It is recognized by Minciencias as a Centro de Innovación y Productividad and holds multiple accreditations — ONAC (under ISO/IEC 17065:2012, 17020, and 17025:2017), ANAB (ID#0829, ISO/IEC 17065:2012), and IDEAM (resolution 1474 of 2023) — that authorize it to certify products under the RETIE and RETILAP technical regulations, inspect electrical installations, verify commercial borders in the electricity market, and perform accredited laboratory testing across three in-house labs (electromechanical and lighting, calibration, and chemical analysis of dielectric fluids).
The company serves three primary segments: electrical equipment manufacturers requiring RETIE/RETILAP certification to access the Colombian market (Centelsa/Nexans, Procables, Andes Cables, Schneider, Siemens, WEG, Signify, Legrand, TE Connectivity), energy distribution and generation companies needing installation inspection, commercial-border verification, and training (CHEC, CENS, ESSA, EDEQ, Gecelca, ISA Transelca, ENEL, XM, Electro Huila, Cedenar), and industrial and commercial enterprises procuring calibration and testing. Revenue is generated entirely through quote-based professional services across five streams: product certification, installation inspection, laboratory testing and calibration, consulting (including independent engineering evaluation, management system audits, technology surveillance, and competitive intelligence), and training programs anchored on the recurring RETIE diploma cycle.
Distribution is direct (B2B) via three Colombian offices — Medellín (headquarters), Sabaneta (laboratories), and Bogotá (regional) — and through digital channels including a customer portal for certificate queries and a content/blog presence. The organization also operates industry initiatives: FISE, the annual international electrical sector fair co-created in 2006 with the Cámara de Comercio de Medellín and Clúster de Energía Sostenible; IDÓNEA, a 2024 conformity-assessment organism for labor competencies developed with IEB; and ENERGYLAB, a national laboratory jointly built with Ecopetrol and Universidad del Valle. Pricing is non-public and quote-based; there is no disclosed revenue, no external equity, no venture or growth funding, and no M&A activity recorded.
CIDET firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CIDET
- Legal name
- Corporación Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico del Sector Eléctrico
- Website
- https://cidet.org.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- CIDET is a Medellín-based Colombian non-profit corporation providing accredited electrical certification, inspection, testing, calibration, consulting, and training services under RETIE/RETILAP to manufacturers, energy distributors, and industrial clients across Colombia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CIDET industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electrical Sector Certification and Testing Services
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electrical Testing & Certification (Protection Relays, Switchgear, Transformers) (EUAEAHAG), Quality Assurance/Quality Control & Accreditation (QA plans, proficiency testing, ISO/IEC 17025) (EUANAJAK)
Keywords
Where CIDET is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Medellín
- HQ country
- Colombia
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices3 records
Markets served
CIDET business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Product Certification Services: Certification of electrical products for compliance with RETIE and RETILAP regulations
- Installation Inspection Services: Inspection and certification of electrical installations
- Laboratory Testing and Calibration: Testing and calibration services for electrical equipment and products
- Training and Education: Professional training programs including RETIE and RETILAP diplomas and specialized courses
- Consulting Services: Technical consulting including independent engineering evaluation, management system audits, and technical supplier evaluation
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
CIDET product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CIDET delivers accredited certification, inspection, laboratory testing, calibration, technical consulting, and professional training services for the Colombian electrical sector under RETIE and RETILAP regulations. Its portfolio includes product certification, electrical installation inspection, commercial border verification, and three ONAC/ANAB/IDEAM-accredited laboratories (electromechanical and lighting testing, calibration, and chemical analysis). It also runs industry initiatives such as the FISE electrical sector fair and the IDÓNEA competency certification organism.
Product overview
CIDET (Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico del Sector Eléctrico) is a Colombian Center of Innovation and Productivity recognized by Minciencias. The organization offers an integrated portfolio of certification, testing, consulting, and training services for the electrical industry. Core services include product certification (RETIE/RETILAP), electrical installation inspections, commercial border verification, and three accredited laboratories (electromechanical testing, calibration, and chemical analysis). The consulting arm provides technical services, technological surveillance, and competitive intelligence. Training programs include diplomas and courses on electrical safety and renewable energy. CIDET also manages industry initiatives including FISE (International Electrical Sector Fair) and IDÓNEA (competency certification organism).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FISE: Feria Internacional del Sector Eléctrico - An international electrical sector fair created by CIDET in partnership with Cámara de Comercio de Medellín and Clúster de Energía Sostenible since 2006.
- IDÓNEA
Products and services
- Electrical Product Certification (RETIE/RETILAP)
Companies that use CIDET
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CIDET technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CIDET partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and strategic.
- Cámara de Comercio de MedellínflagshipCo-creators of FISE (Feria Internacional del Sector Eléctrico), the International Electrical Sector Fair held annually since 2006
- Clúster de Energía SostenibleflagshipCo-creators of FISE (Feria Internacional del Sector Eléctrico), the International Electrical Sector Fair held annually since 2006
- ONACcoreNational accreditation body providing CIDET's accreditation for product certification (code 09-CPR-004), laboratory testing (code 11-LAB-024), inspection (code 10-OIN-025), and calibration (code 17-LAC-003)
- ANABcoreAccreditation body providing CIDET accreditation (ID#0829) under ISO/IEC 17065:2012 for product certification
- IDEAMcoreEnvironmental institute providing CIDET laboratory accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for chemical analysis laboratory (resolution 1474 of 2023)
- IEBcoreDevelopment partner for IDÓNEA, a conformity assessment organism for evaluating and certifying labor competencies required by the industry
- Universidad del VallestrategicPartner in ENERGYLAB, a national laboratory for the electrical sector being built in collaboration with Ecopetrol and Universidad del Valle
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CIDET competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ICONTEC: Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification, the primary domestic peer issuing product, system, and personnel certifications. Directly comparable as a Colombian conformity-assessment body serving overlapping manufacturer and enterprise customers under similar ONAC accreditation.
- UL (Underwriters Laboratories): Global safety science organization specializing in electrical product safety certification. Directly comparable to CIDET's RETIE/RETILAP product certification line for electrical OEMs seeking market access — UL Solutions specifically targets Latin American regulatory compliance for manufacturers exporting to the U.S. and accessing global markets.
- CSA Group: Standards development and testing/certification organization with strong electrical product certification franchise. Directly comparable for manufacturers seeking accredited electrical product certification — increasingly active across Latin America.
Broad incumbents
- TÜV Rheinland: German-based global TIC firm with extensive electrical product certification and solar/renewables testing capabilities. Comparable as a broad incumbent targeting the same manufacturer customers and increasingly relevant as Colombia's energy transition accelerates.
- Intertek: Global TIC provider with strong electrical product testing, calibration, and certification capabilities. Comparable as a broad incumbent active across Latin America serving the same manufacturer customer base as CIDET.
- Bureau Veritas: Global TIC firm with dedicated electrical and electronics testing services. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving manufacturers and utilities with certification and inspection services — competes for the same Colombian enterprise customers as CIDET.
- SGS: World's largest testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering electrical product testing, calibration, and inspection services globally, with established operations in Colombia that overlap with CIDET's service portfolio.
- TÜV SÜD: Global TIC provider offering product testing, certification, and auditing for electrical and industrial equipment. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving the same manufacturer and utility customers across Latin America.
- DEKRA: Global TIC organization with strong product testing and certification across automotive, industrial, and electrical sectors. Comparable as a broad incumbent that competes for manufacturer certification mandates in Latin American markets.
Regional players
- Element Materials Testing: Global testing services provider with electrical and product testing capabilities; active across the Americas but with thinner Colombian presence. Comparable as a regional-adjacent TIC player that could expand into CIDET's territory.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CIDET social profiles
Digital presenceCIDET compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
CIDET financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CIDET leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
CIDET funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CIDET M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CIDET
What does CIDET do?
CIDET delivers accredited certification, inspection, laboratory testing, calibration, technical consulting, and professional training services for the Colombian electrical sector under RETIE and RETILAP regulations. Its portfolio includes product certification, electrical installation inspection, commercial border verification, and three ONAC/ANAB/IDEAM-accredited laboratories (electromechanical and lighting testing, calibration, and chemical analysis). It also runs industry initiatives such as the FISE electrical sector fair and the IDÓNEA competency certification organism.
Is CIDET a public or private company?
CIDET is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CIDET founded?
CIDET was founded in 1995. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is CIDET based?
CIDET is headquartered in Medellín, Colombia, in the Latin America region.
How does CIDET make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Product Certification Services are the primary driver. The others are installation Inspection Services, laboratory Testing and Calibration, training and Education and consulting Services.
Who are CIDET's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ICONTEC, UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and CSA Group. Broad incumbents are TÜV Rheinland, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, SGS, TÜV SÜD and DEKRA. Element Materials Testing is listed as a regional player.
Does CIDET have an API?
No public API is recorded for CIDET.
What industry is CIDET in?
CIDET's product category is Electrical Sector Certification and Testing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAEAHAN, Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO), with a secondary code of EUAEAHAG, Electrical Testing & Certification (Protection Relays, Switchgear, Transformers). Its NAICS code is 541380 and its SIC code is 8734.