It used to be that if a Dimensioner achieved an NTEP Certification in the United States, it was an indication that all the certified products were equal. After we ran some tests on some of the newer products that have come on the market, it is clear that a new standard is needed. I am referring to it as the Gold Standard or the Three Certificate Standard.
Currently there are three bodies that conduct Certification testing on Dimensioning technology.
- OIML / MID R129 (Europe and the rest of the world)
- Measurement Canada – (Canada Obviously)
- NTEP – (U.S.A.)
- NMI – (Australia) – (Generally accepts OIML)
OIML / MID R129 (Europe and the rest of the world)
Measurement Canada – (Canada Obviously)
NTEP – (U.S.A.)
NMI – (Australia) – (Generally accepts OIML)
It is a costly process for companies to go through all the various testing protocols. Over the last few years, the testing agencies have endeavored to establish a one certification program so that manufacturers can get it done once and have it applied to all areas of the world. To this point, the effort has been begrudgingly slow. As you might imagine, the people who oversee the testing process for each program feel that their respected staff need to head the process. This has specifically been true between the U.S. and Canada. At this point, it appears that Canada and Europe are more closely aligned. Right now, all three testing organizations are separate, and to achieve “Legal For Trade” status in a given country, you need to have the appropriate Certificate. To be a global company and provider, it is essential to have all three Certifications.
The question is this. Are the standards different from one testing organization to another? The answer is nuanced. It is generally accepted that NTEP has the easiest path to Certification. This is because the testing process is relatively new in the U.S. as Dimensioning technology has been utilized in Europe and Canada far longer. Taking nothing away from the individuals at the Ohio lab who have responsibility for the NTEP testing, it would seem that a rigorous process of actually going through all three organizations testing would be a good indication of the quality of a product that achieved all three Certifications.
Currently there are four companies that have Pallet Dimensioners that have all three Certifications.
- Mettler Toledo
- Cubiscan
- Rice Lake
- FreightSnap
Mettler Toledo
Cubiscan
Rice Lake
FreightSnap
Until such time as NTEP can come into a collaboration with the rest of the world, I would stick with Best of Class products that have all three certifications. There is a reason why Canada and Europe seem to be collaborating more closely and seem to be on the verge of a joint standard and accepting each of their CERTS. It is not because of some sort of bias against the U.S. and NTEP. It is much more likely that certain NTEP certified products made their way to Canada and failed to pass. At least that is what the Canadian examiners have told me.
