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What is the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI)? Fulfilling the roles as both a Nationally Accredited Standards Developing Organization and a Nationally Accredited Product Certification Body, both credentialed by the American National Standards Institute, ALI is an association comprised of responsible automotive lifts manufacturers serving North America. ALI’s mission is to promote the safe design, construction, installation, service, and use of automotive lifts.
What is Product “Certification”?
ALI sponsors a Certification Program for automotive lifts. Over 98% of all certified lifts are certified under this program. ALI (Automotive Lift Institute) contracts with Intertek Testing Services (ETL), a global product testing, inspection, and certification organization, to fill the role of Certification Program Administrator. ALI has taken the additional step of obtaining accreditation for this program from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This assures absolute independence and unquestionable integrity for the program. Product evaluations, to determine electrical and mechanical compliance in accordance with appropriate standards, are conducted by approved Authorized Testing Laboratories. Currently, ETL (Intertek Testing Laboratories) and MET Laboratories are authorized to conduct testing on ALI’s behalf after a Program Participation Agreement has been executed. Both ETL and MET Laboratories are recognized in the United States by the Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL’s) for products classified as garage equipment. Key certification considerations:
As with other industry certification programs sponsored by accredited certification organizations, lift certification may only be granted to the Participant who owns the rights to the product drawings and stress calculations. Since items such as material composition, welder qualifications, and other critical elements effecting product performance and user safety cannot be validated, an automotive lift produced outside of the Certification Body’s supervision cannot be certified. An automotive lift that has left the control of the Authorized Production Facility shall not be labeled in a manner that demonstrates certification by the Participant, the distributor, the installer, or their representatives. Often, a lift owner will contact ALI requesting “certification” of their lift that already bears the ALI Gold Label certification mark. In most cases, the individual contacting ALI (Automotive Lift Institute) is attempting to respond to an OSHA citation, an insurance carrier’s request, or a unit that has been “red tagged” by the local authority having jurisdiction. It is likely in these situations, that the user or the individual making the request is confusing “product certification” with documentation demonstrating that a responsible party has performed an inspection of the automotive lift in accordance with ANSI/ALI ALOIM and the manufacturer’s inspection requirements. See FAQ entitled “Should My Lift Be Inspected?” for more information.
An automotive lift should be inspected at least annually, more frequently when so specified by the manufacturer or the authority having jurisdiction. The National Standard addressing automotive lift inspection is ANSI/ALI ALOIM (current edition) "Safety Requirements for the Operation, Inspection, and Maintenance of Automotive Lifts”. This National Consensus Standard provides guidance to the owner, employer, and lift service and inspection provider(s) with regard to the required qualifications, training, reporting, and documentation for operators, inspectors, and maintenance personnel. This Standard also provides sample forms and checklists for use by all parties attempting to comply with this Standard. The Automotive Lift Institute does not formally endorse any lift inspection or service organization and does not maintain a list of inspection or service providers. Contact the original equipment manufacturer identified on the nameplate of your automotive lift to obtain assistance with your inspection or service needs. Should you be unable to contact the original equipment manufacturer, search your local Yellow Pages or the internet for inspection or service providers in your area.
What Standards Apply to Automotive Lifts? There is only one current standard in North America that governs the design and construction of automotive lifts. It is ANSI/ALI ALCTV (current edition), “American National Standard for Automotive Lifts - Safety Requirements for Construction, Testing and Validation”. This Standard addresses the U.S. electrical requirements associated with an automotive lift by incorporating compliance and third-party listing to ANSI UL 201 (current edition), “Safety Standard for Garage Equipment”. For automotive lifts used in the Canadian markets, third-party listing as evidence of compliance with CAN/CSA Std. C22.2 No. 68 is required. The ALI “Gold Certification Label” provides proof of full compliance to the applicable U.S. Standard(s) and demonstrates full compliance to the applicable Canadian National Standard when indicated on the certification label. These standards require third party testing and validation by an OSHA Accredited, Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). Automotive lifts that do not bear a certification label are not certified and are not likely to comply with the requirements of the local code authority having jurisdiction or new construction “pre-start” audit requirements. Two additional safety standards of importance to the automotive lift industry include ANSI/ALI ALOIM (current edition) "Safety Requirements for the Operation, Inspection, and Maintenance of Automotive Lifts” and ANSI/ALI ALIS (current edition) "Safety Requirements for the Installation and Service of Automotive Lifts".
Standards have become such an integral part of our global economy, and our daily lives, that the average person gives little or no consideration to the extent that products and services are produced in compliance with industry established standards. Imagine a consumer’s dismay if electrical cords didn’t fit into the outlets, or if infant and toddler toys were not standardized to prevent a choking hazard, or if automobile tires were not standardized to identify use or size. In Europe, and many other countries, compliance with many national product safety standards is required by law. The United States currently uses a voluntary standards system where compliance with applicable standards is compulsory when mandated by regulation or requirements imposed by the authority having jurisdiction. ALI’s mission of promoting the safe design, construction, installation, service, and use of automotive lift products has been recognized in recent years by regulatory agencies such as OSHA, WorkSafe BC, and Ontario’s Ministry of Labour. Each of which have incorporated the implementation of ALI Sponsored National Standards and/or third-party certification into current regulation and practices.
Claims that state "Meets or Exceeds Standard ANSI/ALI B-153.1" are meaningless. This standard has been withdrawn, is no longer an American National Standard, and is not valid. Some irresponsible lift production facilities and their distributors continue to market products with this claim to unsuspecting consumers in the hobby and commercial trade. The last of the remaining B153.1 series of Standards was withdrawn April 1, 2000. When confronted with this claim relating to new or uninstalled lifts, lift purchasers, specifiers, authorities having jurisdiction, and users are encouraged to formally contact local code enforcement, the state attorney general, and the following agencies as may be appropriate:
Each agency will require that your complaint documents the product in question by recording the manufacturer’s name, address, model and serial number of the lift, location of the product and point of contact. Detailed photographs, literature, and other supporting material as may be appropriate should be included. The Automotive Lift Institute may be copied on all correspondence.
What About Generic ANSI and OSHA Compliance Claims? ANSI Compliance Claims: OSHA Compliance Claims:
The claim "This lift is ALA Certified" is interesting at best. ALA (also known as Automotive Lift Association or American Lift Association) is reported to be an organization of lift manufacturers. At one time there were a few companies who claimed to be members of the organization when such claims suited their purpose. However, attempts to locate said organization have been fruitless. As of the posting date of this document, no ALA organization or ALA lift certification exists. ALA appears to be purely fictitious and created merely to confuse purchasers, users and inspectors. ALA is in no way affiliated with the Automotive Lift Institute.
MAMTC (Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center) is a unit of Wichita State University which, in one instance, attempted to certify a lift model. Test Reports on MAMTC letterhead, signed by a Mr. Dave Richards, and stating that a lift complies with ANSI B153.1 – 1990, of course are meaningless because they are not a NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory), and the standard cited is obsolete. When claims involving MAMTC first arose, formal demands were made by ALI that the University cease and desist from such misleading activities.
What About Claims Regarding CSA and UL Approval? According to UL’s (Underwriters Laboratories) website, a Listing Mark containing the UL symbol together with the word “listed”, a control number, and the words “Automotive Lift” must be present on the product or the lift is not compliant with current National Standards. In many cases, the CSA (Canadian Standards Association), ETL (Intertek), MET Laboratories, or UL (Underwriters Laboratories) “Recognized Component” Mark can be found on electrical parts such as switches and power units. This situation does not imply that an automotive lift has received certification, encompassing the entire product configuration. An automotive lift that does not bear a third-party Certification Mark is not compliant with National Standards or the requirements of the local code authority having jurisdiction. Claims that CSA (Canadian Standards Association), ETL (Intertek), MET Laboratories, or UL (Underwriters Laboratories) approval has been obtained should be investigated further. Often, such claims are made in good faith by inexperienced sales and marketing people; and other times they are presented with the intention to confuse the purchaser and obtain an order for equipment that may not actually meet the purchaser’s specifications and/or the requirements of the local code authority having jurisdiction. Ask the person making such a claim to provide evidence that the lift manufacturer’s model is currently certified and listed with an accredited third-party. Acceptable forms of evidence include a product listing within the third-party’s directory of certified products or a third-party certification mark on the product. Both the directory and the certification mark should clearly state compliance with ANSI/ALI ALCTV (current edition) and ANSI/UL 201 (current edition) or CAN/CSA STD C22.2 No. 68, if applicable.
Is My Lift Certified If I See A UL or ETL Listing Mark Only On The Power Unit? According to the Automotive Lift Institute and Underwriters Laboratories, a third party certification mark (label) representing the automotive lift as a complete product must clearly bear the words “Automotive Lift” along with a reference to the American National Standard ANSI/ALI ALCTV. The claim of a “certified lift” by some lift marketers and resellers is false and misleading when the automotive lift only bears a third party mark located on the power unit or another component such as the motor without these references. The lift consumer should recognize that without these references the automotive lift is NOT certified and the product as a system has NOT been found compliant when evaluated against the electrical and mechanical safety requirements in effect at the time the product was produced. The lift consumer should note that it is common for both certified and non-certified automotive lifts to bear any combination of UL, ETL, or CSA compliance marks to indicate a specific part is listed as a “recognized component”. These compliance marks do not imply or infer the complete automotive lift product complies with the national product safety standards defining the electrical and mechanical requirements for automotive lifts. See FAQ entitled “What About Claims Regarding CSA and UL Approval?” for more information.
What Does "Certification Pending" Mean? The claim or promise of “certification pending” appears to be one of the latest trends by some lift marketers and resellers hopeful of winning a lift purchaser's business. The lack of appropriate drawings, stress calculations, electrical or mechanical product performance to published specifications, and/or other important aspects associated with producing a compliant product can drag on for months or even years in some cases. Technically speaking, simply entering into a discussion with even an internal engineer can lead to the less than ethical stated promise of “Certification Pending”. Although at first glance this may look harmless, the lift consumer should recognize the automotive lift is NOT certified and the product as a system has not been evaluated for compliance against the electrical and mechanical safety requirements in effect at the time the product was produced. The ALI Automotive Lift Certification Program does not allow for the use of symbols, marks, or verbiage indicating a lift model certification is “pending”.
What about High Reach Jack Stands and Other Accessories? If separate accessories are furnished for use with a lift conforming to ANSI/ALI ALCTV, the separate accessory shall conform to relevant national standards and shall be certified as such. Placement of unrecognized accessories into a certified lift configuration invalidates the lift's certification for so long as the certified lift configuration remains altered. Perhaps the most common example of a configuration altering accessory would be high reach jack stands. For the safety of the technician and others in the immediate area, high reach jack stands, when used in support of a certified automotive lift, must be certified in accordance with ANSI/ASME PALD, the safety standard covering portable automotive lifting devices.
What About Replacement Parts - Will My Lift Lose Its Certified Status? If my certified lift is fitted with replacement parts sourced from someone other than the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will my lift lose its certified status? The American National Standards covering Operation, Inspection and Maintenance (ANSI/AL-ALOIM) and Installation and Service (ANSI/ALI ALIS) both state: "Replace worn, damaged or broken parts with parts approved by the original equipment manufacturer or with parts meeting the original manufacturer specifications." Whereas there is no practical way for a manufacturer or the certification body (ALI) to supervise part substitutions and/or the withdrawal of certification in the field, if there is a product failure due to the use of non OEM parts then the burden will fall to the person or persons who substituted the non OEM parts on the certified lift to prove that the parts meet or met the specifications required by these standards. Reference points within the stated lift safety standards: The standard, ANSI/ALI ALOIM clearly states: 8. Replacement Parts---Replace worn, damaged or broken parts with parts approved by the original equipment manufacturer or with parts meeting original manufacturer specifications. The standard ANSI/ALI ALIS clearly states: 6.2.6 Repair Service Parts. Replace worn, damaged or broken parts with parts approved by the original equipment manufacturer or with parts meeting original manufacturer specifications.
Claims that lifts are built to the ISO 9000 series Standard(s), or some other such claim invoking ISO (International Standards Organization) can also be misleading. Whereas, the ISO 9000 series Standard(s) describe an excellent quality control program, ISO compliance does not mean that the lift is designed in accordance with ANSI/ALI ALCTV, or that the product is independently certified to meet that standard.
Claims that "Lifts are CE approved" can also be designed to mislead prospective North American lift purchasers. The CE (European Community) lift standard, EN 1493 is not tougher, as some might claim, but simply different than the American National Standard. One of the most notable differences between CE and ALI certification is in the area of electrical safety. ANSI/ALI ALCTV mandates testing to UL201, Standard for Safety for Garage Equipment, which is harmonized with the National Electric Code (NEC). CE electrical requirements are different and in no way ensure compliance with the NEC. Another important consideration relating to CE approval is that American and Canadian electrical and other inspectors do not accept CE testing. They will "red tag" lifts not listed to North American standards.
What about Automotive Lifts Manufactured Overseas? Regardless of the country of origin, ALI requires that all Authorized Production Facilities be represented by a legitimate Certification Program Participant with an organizational presence in North America. In today’s global marketplace, evidence involving the proliferation of questionable and unsafe products across most industries can be seen by visiting the websites of the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Within the automotive lift industry, these trends first became visible in the last decade, as manufacturers, located in developing countries, and lift importers, not familiar with the relevant electrical and mechanical standards, became interested in the North American market. Today this trend continues. Therefore, the lift buyer/specifier must become educated regarding the relevant issues associated with purchasing a third-party certified lift. Regardless of production facility location, organizations that are committed to a safe North American automotive lift market demonstrate this commitment through product compliance with all relevant National Standards. Some lift production facilities and their distributors do not have a supported presence in North America and are committed only to importing and selling lifts for whatever period proves to be financially beneficial. In today’s society of disposable products, many components may be subject to wear and may need to be replaced or serviced. The lift buyer/specifier should consider this point as it relates to potential “down time” contributed to replacement component delays, planned maintenance, and inspection support that may be required.
What Should a Bid Specifier Know about Automotive Lifts? The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) is interested in providing factual information for use in drafting bid specifications covering the purchase of automotive lifts. ALI supports the mission of promoting the safe design, construction, installation, and use of automotive lift products. We strive to accomplish this objective through the development of Nationally Accredited Safety Standards and independent, third party product testing and certification through the use of OSHA accredited, Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL). Of particular importance is the fact that in 2003, the International Building Code (IBC) has adopted the American National Standard ANSI/ALI ALCTV, covering automotive lifts, as a part of the mechanical building code requirements (See current IBC Chapter 30, section 3001.2). Compliance with ANSI/ALI ALCTV requires a product to display the third party mark of an accredited lift certification program and for the electrical system of the lift to be certified. This means that recognized electrical components are not acceptable unless the entire lift product has been evaluated and certified as a system. Further to this point, “accessories” and “special modifications” offered for a certified lift model must also be evaluated by the OSHA approved NRTL against the applicable referenced product standards. The ALI third party lift certification program is fully accredited by the American National Standards Institute and provides assurance of compliance with the requirements of the appropriate standards. ALI offers the following additional information in favor of a decision to specify certified automotive lifts: 1) As a result of the National Technology Transfer Advancement Act that was signed into law on March 7, 1996, the longstanding Federal Specification 00-L-360 covering motor vehicle lifts was withdrawn in favor of the existing American National Standards referenced herein. 2) Under the General Duty clause [Section 5 (a) (1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970], Federal and state OSHA enforcement officers routinely reference the American National Standards ANSI/ALI ALCTV and ANSI/ALI ALOIM when investigating or abating workplace safety violations. 3) Because we live in a global economy, often standardized industry purchasing terms and requirements such as ongoing quality assurance, stress analyses, and welder qualification become blurred. Be wary of manufacturer “declarations” or “certifications”. ALI encourages lift purchasers to consider only independent, third party certified automotive lifts on behalf of the technician that will be using the lift. This will provide a level of confidence in the lift’s ability to perform as a piece of life safety equipment. The following links are offered to further assist a purchaser in making such a decision. Inspecting An Automotive Service Lift
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Certification is a system whereby an independent, third-party organization determines that a manufacturer has the ability to produce a product that complies with a specific set of standards. Certification further authorizes the manufacturer to use the controlled label of the third party on listed products representing the certified model. Certified products undergo periodic re-evaluation and are required to be produced within the requirements of a documented quality program. The program is audited quarterly, regardless of the Authorized Production Facility’s location, to ensure continued compliance with the applicable standards.