For buyers of industrial storage rack systems, ensuring structural integrity and code compliance is essential. Both factors are critical not only for performance, but also for safety. One of the most effective ways to ensure that a rack system meets these key requirements is by looking for the Rack Manufacturers Institute’s (RMI) R-Mark certification.
R-Mark: A System Certification, Not a Product Stamp
John Krummell, President and CEO of Advance Storage Products—a RMI member company—explained in detail what the R-Mark is, how it works, and why provides assurance for rack buyers.
First, he noted that the R-Mark isn’t just a mark of quality. It’s confirmation that a qualified engineer has reviewed and certified the system’s design to meet the specific building codes and load requirements of the project site.
“A R-Mark is a site-specific design certification that ensures that the rack manufacturer engineered a system following the applicable RMI American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. It verifies that the entire rack structure meets the load specifications, the building code requirements, and all relevant size and structural considerations,” he said. “It’s not a product guideline—it’s a system design certification.”
This distinction matters. Krummell emphasized that buyers can’t assume individual components like beams or uprights are R-Mark certified on their own.
“You can’t say that a load beam or an upright is R-Mark certified because the load capacity can change dramatically depending on the system’s configuration. You could take an individual component and say it meets code in one case. But if it’s misapplied or overloaded, it doesn’t meet code anymore,” he said.
LARC Drawings: Proof of R-Mark Certification
Because of that, R-Mark certification only applies when the rack installation matches an approved configuration specified in its engineering documentation.
“The only way to identify an R-Mark certified system is by examining the load application and rack configuration (LARC) drawings, or the load capacity plaques mounted on the system. Both will bear the R-Mark,” Krummell explained. “If a distributor wants to offer an R-Mark certified rack, they have to go back to the manufacturer to get those certified drawings. They can’t do it themselves.”
The integrity of the certification is key, he added, noting that RMI updated the entire R-Mark certification process in 2023.
“The revisions raised the bar for both quality and safety,” continued Krummell. “That means when a customer has a drawing set that says the system is R-Mark certified, they can be confident they’re getting a system designed and built to RMI standards.”
Additionally, the R-Mark applies to all rack types. “Whether it’s selective rack, pushback, or pallet flow systems, the certification applies to the structure that supports the pallet. It’s the structural design that’s certified,” he said.
Becoming an R-Mark Certified Manufacturer
To become an R-Mark certified manufacturer is a stringent process. It requires an application that includes calculations and testing data to demonstrate the manufacturer can produce a certified system. The rack manufacturer must also employ a qualified engineer on staff—not a contractor. RMI then reviews the application through a third-party structural engineer, and if approved, authorizes the manufacturer to use the R-Mark.
“It’s important to note, however, that RMI membership is not necessary to earn the certification. And, conversely, RMI membership does not imply R-Mark,” Krummell emphasized. “This makes it accessible to a qualified manufacturer that meets the program’s rigorous criteria.”
More Than Design: Manufacturing and Material Standards
Notably, Krummell continued, R-Mark isn’t just about the structural analysis. It’s about verifying that the entire design, manufacturing, and materials process meets industry standards.
“R-Mark Certified Manufacturers must certify that they have standards for specifying steel, and follow good manufacturing practies and that their welders are certified to American Welding Society (AWS) standards with proper training,” said Krummell. “If someone buys uncertified steel or cuts corners on weld quality, the rack can look fine but be unsafe.”
In fact, part of what sets R-Mark certification apart is its holistic approach.
“It encompasses not only the engineering design but also the manufacturing and purchasing controls. The manufacturer is confirming that all of that is in place,” he added.
Krummell also explained how the updated R-Mark certification program increases manufacturer accountability.
“RMI requires a re-certification process every year,” he said. “Annually, a manufacturer must verify that it still meets the standards. Both an engineering representative and a corporate officer must sign an attestation confirming their authorized status. That puts accountability at the highest level and reminds companies that they’re responsible for maintaining those practices.”
R-Mark and System Relocations
R-Mark certification also plays an important role in the resale of used racking systems. Krummell pointed out that if someone wants to verify whether a used rack is R-Mark certified, it isn’t.
“If you move an R-Mark certified system it to a different site, it needs to go through the engineering review again with the original manufacturer,” he explained. “That’s because the R-Mark certification only applies to that specific system setup in a given location. Even if an outside engineer says it meets code, they can’t apply the R-Mark. It has to come from the manufacturer.
Find a Manufacturer
Is your current industrial storage rack manufacturer an active R-Mark license holder? Find a complete listing of R-Mark certified manufacturers here.
