However, according to Charalambos Freed, Head of Standardization and Government Relations at Nilfisk, this situation has changed: in December 2017, the first safety standard aimed specifically at the functions of commercial robotic-floorcare machines, CSA/ANSI C22.2 No. 336-17, came into effect. Developed by the American National Standards Institute and the Canadian Standards Association, it requires that commercial robotic-floorcare machines run safely and smoothly in public, dynamic, and populated environments.

 

“With this new standard, all commercial robotic-floorcare machines sold in the US and Canada must satisfy the basic safety requirements of a commercial floorcare machine, and CSA/ANSI C22.2 No. 336-17, in order to receive certification,” explains Freed, who chairs the commercial robotic-floorcare machine standards group within the CSA, and worldwide at IEC*.

 

According to the American National Standards Institute, a third-party certification “provides unique credibility” and serves as an independent verdict that the product is safe.

 

In some markets, such as the US, employers are legally obliged to conduct due diligence on equipment used at their facilities; failing to comply can lead to product recall, market withdrawal, or fines. Using equipment that meets industry standards is a robust approach to satisfying this legal requirement.

 

According to Freed, the safety standard for commercial robotic-floorcare machines creates a safe environment for customers that want, or need, to protect occupants in a dynamic environment – whether they are employees or visitors.

 

“If a machine is third-party certified according to harmonized standards, the machine is presumed to be compliant with the requirements of applicable safety directives and regulations. That certification offers reassurance that your facilities are safe once you start implementing autonomous solutions in your cleaning operation”, explains Charalambos Freed.