Supply lockers and dispensing machines are essential components of a well-designed inventory management system. They are frequently big pieces of equipment that securely store assets and provide simple, point-of-use access via a humanless transaction. Improper handling, a lack of training or maintenance, and equipment that does not comply with industry, state, or federal requirements can have catastrophic effects, just as they do with practically any form of office equipment or industrial machinery. As a result, major dispensing equipment manufacturers put their products through rigorous testing and certification processes to ensure no one gets harmed or property is damaged. These techniques increase machine reliability, lower risk, prevent situations from occurring, and assure end-user safety. Risk mitigation is approached in various ways through certifications and regulatory requirements.
Most Important Compliance Standards For Dispensing Equipment
The safe operation of dispensing equipment necessitates compliance with several standards. Approved and reputed certification agencies verify compliance with safety, performance, and responsibility standards. In the United States, most major dispensing equipment manufacturers certify their goods and businesses in six key areas.
Electrical safety, electromagnetic interference prevention, electromagnetic compatibility, safe handling in the case of a fire, accessibility for the differently-abled, and restrictions on the use of hazardous materials or products from areas of conflict are considered.
UL Certification
Underwriter Laboratories (UL) is a third-party certification firm that has been in operation since 1894. They certify products to make the world safer for consumers and employees alike. They not only evaluate new goods but also set industry standards to follow while developing new ones. In fact, UL-certified products entered the worldwide marketplace over 14 billion times last year.
UL is a safety group that sets industry-wide standards for new products. They examine these products regularly to ensure that they meet these standards. UL testing ensures that wire diameters are proper and those devices can manage the current claims they make. They also guarantee that products are built to the highest safety standards.
FCC Certifications
Electronic equipment obtains an FCC certificate indicating it has been tested and authorized to comply with FCC regulations. A product’s FCC certification does not mean it is safe or long-lasting or suggest how the machine was made. It merely shows that it is within approved ionizing radiation limitations. FCC clearance is possible if the electronic device complies with FCC emission norms and regulations and has been tested to fulfil FCC standards.
RoHS Compliance
The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) is product-level compliance based on the European Union’s Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS). With rare exceptions, products complying with this regulation do not include more than the permissible levels of the prohibited materials including lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).
Manufacturers, importers authorized representatives, and distributors of products such as large and small household appliances (refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, etc.), power tools, computing and communications equipment, lighting, consumer electronics, toys and sports equipment, and automatic dispensers (vending machines, ATM machines, etc.) are all covered by this directive.
RoHS compliance is made evident by a letter of compliance signed by a firm employee. Third-party testing services are available to check for levels of banned materials in an organization’s products.
Health and Safety Policy
Manufacturers of sustainable dispensing equipment also include elements above and beyond regulatory compliance or standards. Mechanisms that limit the machine’s use to within the safe operating range are examples of such characteristics. When the dispensing machine’s temperature falls outside this range, the safety system turns off part or all of the device. Manufacturers specify a range of temperatures with upper and lower limits. This stops the machine from being exploited and protects the user from serious injury. Such characteristics are not required by law or relevant regulatory agencies and are entirely up to the manufacturer’s choice.
The Benefits Of Certified Dispensing Equipment
Easy To Use Intelligent Dispensing Machines. It’s a cost-effective and time-saving method of getting employees what they need fast and safely while also automating reconciliation and restocking. Intelligent dispensing is a novel take on the classic vending machine concept. Instead of drinks or snacks, this dispensing machine dispenses office supplies. It’s also cashless. Dispensing machines and supply lockers are simple to set up, blend in with your workplace decor, and provide supplies quickly, effortlessly, and proficiently.
Customizable. To dispense the products they require, employees swipe a badge or input a code on the keypad. Intelligent dispensing machines maintain track of what has been distributed and what is still available. Almost anything may be dispensed from the office dispensing devices. Pens and paper clips, staplers, and tape are the essentials. However, more oversized products such as safety goggles, medical equipment, and IT supplies might even be offered. You may also customize the machine to fit any products your business needs to provide.
Happy Employees. Thanks to supply dispensers and supply lockers, employees do not need to go to a supply closet to search high and low for a specific product. Instead, supply dispensers and lockers can be placed at the point-of-use, which, hypothetically speaking, would allow you to have multiple “supply closets” throughout your building, as opposed to just one. This leads to more productive employees, as they will be able to find what they need faster.
Through supply lockers and supply dispensers, employees can access the products they need, no matter what time of day it is. It also allows managers to track who is accessing what in order to stay on top of inventory tracking.
Intelligent dispensing is undoubtedly a step forward in the management of office supplies and inventory safety. Companies all over the globe realize that dispensing supplies makes employees happier and more productive while increasing profits.
Are you ready to enjoy the benefits that dispensing machines can offer to your company? Download our Whitepaper or contact IDS to learn more about our services.
