ANSI appoints Liftinstituut as Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certification Organization (AECO)

On March 12, 2009, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) officially recognized Liftinstituut as an Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certification Organization (AECO). This appointment means that one of Europe's leading certification organizations for elevators and escalators offers new opportunities in design, manufacturing, installation and modification (supply chain).

Dennis Lindeboom, Account Manager North America at Liftinstituut, is delighted by the accreditation. "Together with TÜV SÜD America and UL, we are one of the three organizations allowed to assess elevators and escalators according to the new performance-based safety code ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7. What distinguishes Liftinstituut is our more than 75 years specific focus on elevator and escalator safety and risk assesment".

Design freedom

According to Lindeboom, the new ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7 offers considerably more freedom and flexibility in terms of design and innovation. "Manufacturers can assume performance-based safety as long as they support any deviations from the current ASME A17.1/CSA B44 with a risk assessment and as long as it is certified by an AECO."

Experienced expert

Performance-based safety is a relatively new way of thinking in North America, however the approach is already well established in Europe. Lindeboom: "Liftinstituut performs the same role in Europe as AECO's here. We provide certification for numerous international brands. Being at home on both continents and Asia, we have a good insight into the differences and similarities among safety requirements. That's an advantage for North American manufacturers who may want to export in future."