The Scandinavian Association for Testing Switchgear (SATS) was established in 1974, as a vehicle for harmonisation of testing and interpretation of test results. The founding members of SATS were ASEA AB of Sweden and the Norwegian Electric Power Research Institute (EFI). Later on, STRI AB in Sweden, NEFI and NEXANS in Norway and ABB OY in Finland joined the organisation. SATS joined the Short-Circuit SATS Certification was established in 1994, and the Governing Board of SATS was augmented with three representatives from  end users of the products certified by SATS.

Following reorganisations within the company, ABB OY in Finland resigned from SATS Certification, effective of December 31., 2005

SINTEF Energy Research (previously known as EFI) has held the secretariat of SATS since its birth in 1974.