What is ALI?

One of the most important labels to look for on a new lift (other than the Rotary Lift label, of course) is a small gold certification label. It is the label placed on a lift by the Automotive Lift Institute.

When this label is on a lift, it means that lift model has been tested by an independent, nationally recognized testing laboratory and has been proven to meet or exceed industry safety and performance standards as laid out in ANSI/ALI ALCTV-2011. It also means that the lift manufacturer’s production facilities have been audited and proven to meet manufacturing standards. Without this label, there is no guarantee that a lift meets accepted safety standards. There are a few testing laboratories that are approved to test lifts, but there is only one organization that certifies and validates the results: the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI).

ALI was formed in 1945 by nine U.S. lift manufacturers who agreed to work together for the common good. The original ALI members shared concerns over the availability and quality of raw materials being used to produce automotive lifts after World War II and the resulting questionable safety of some of the lifts being made at that time The ALI founding charter members were:

Curtis Pneumatic Machinery Co.                                               Gilbert & Barker Mfg Co.

Globe Hoist Company                                                                   Hayward Products Corp.

Joyce-Cridland Company                                                             Rotary Lift Company

U.S. Air Compressor Co.                                                                Wayne Pump Company

Weaver Manufacturing Co.

Of the nine founding companies only Rotary Lift is still in business today. ALI currently has 22 lift manufacturer members, as well as many associate class members.

In 1947, ALI developed the first Commercial Standard covering vehicle lifts published by the National Bureau of Standards. Today ALI sponsors North American safety standards covering lift design, construction, operation, inspection, maintenance, installation and service. ALI also offers the only third-party certification programs for vehicle lifts and lift inspectors in the U.S. and Canada. ALI’s mission is to promote the safe design, construction, installation, inspection and use of vehicle lifts.

In 2012, ALI launched the Lift Inspector Certification Program. Although lift inspection requirements were first written into industry standards starting in 1995, no third-party inspector certification or accreditation program existed until ALI launched the Lift Inspector Certification Program. Today ALI sponsors North American safety standards covering lift design, construction, operation, inspection, maintenance, installation and service. ALI also offers the only third-party certification programs for vehicle lifts and lift inspectors in the U.S. and Canada. ALI’s mission is to promote the safe design, construction, installation, inspection and use of vehicle lifts.

Since its inception, ALI has been a driving force behind the safety and overall performance of automotive lifts. The rigorous certification testing, along with detailed inspections have made technicians’ and lift operators’ jobs safer. When choosing a lift, whether it be for use in your home garage, or in a 50 bay service center, make the right choice and look for the gold label.

If you are trying to decide what lift best fits your needs, take a look at our “Lift Buyers Guides” below: