Q: Is it legal to buy uncertified vehicle lifts?
A: In North America, it is legal for companies to sell or purchase vehicle lifts that are not certified by the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI). However, building and safety codes in many jurisdictions can prevent these lifts from being installed. It is the buyer’s responsibility to research, purchase and install certified lifts if he or she operates in a location where certification is required.
ALI certifies vehicle lifts under ANSI/ALI ALCTV-2011, the national standard governing lift design and construction. Testing and certification through the program is completely voluntary. All lifts submitted for certification are tested for structural integrity, proper function of controls and load-holding devices and proper lowering speeds. While protection against overloading is also verified, it is never safe to load a lift beyond its rated capacity. The manufacturer’s production facility must also meet quality control requirements and open itself for regular plant inspections to ensure compliance with standard and program guidelines.
Information provided by: Automotive Lift Institute (ALI)
