Facilitating Battery Manufacturing Through North American Compliance

The landscape of battery plant operators in the U.S. is undergoing a significant transformation, driven largely by U.S government programs such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Canada’s incentive programs to address climate change challenges. By providing tax credits, grants, and other financial benefits, the U.S and Canadian governments aim to accelerate the transition to clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With a surge in battery and photovoltaic operating plants, alternative energy equipment manufacturers and plant operators may benefit from Special Inspection (SI) and Field Evaluation (FE) services in Canada and U.S. respectively to demonstrate compliance with local regulations as well as confirmation that the installation of production lines meets local regulatory requirements. As a result, CSA Group stands as a critical partner for plant operators in Canada and the U.S., as well as international alternative energy equipment suppliers who are seeking access to North America markets.

By Josh Shepard, Manager of Special Inspections and Field Evaluation, CSA Group

The Growing Need for SI/FE Services

With the rise in battery plant developments, particularly in Canada and the U.S, the demand for SI/FE services has surged. These services are essential for verifying the safety and compliance of products that cannot undergo regular certification processes. CSA Group offers both Special Inspection (Canada) and Field Evaluation (U.S.) programs, providing evaluation for uncertified or modified products, systems, and equipment that are custom-built or manufactured in limited quantities. Note that SI/FE programs are not certification programs; rather, they are one-time evaluation programs for products tested to applicable requirements with site-specific variances accepted by the local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).

A Comment on Regulatory Acceptance
Regulatory officials have the final say when it comes to accepting certified or field evaluated products in the marketplace. AHJs recognize the CSA Group SI/FE labels, which helps demonstrate that products comply with applicable codes and regulations.

Challenges for Plant Operators & Alternative Energy Equipment Manufacturers

For many equipment suppliers and plant operators, meeting regulatory requirements may pose significant challenges:

1. Impractical Logistics: The complexity of shipping large or intricate products to a testing laboratory can be challenging and expensive.
2. Various Regulatory Requirements: The need to demonstrate compliance with various site-specific local safety requirements.

Addressing Common Concerns

1. Q: What happens when overseas equipment comes into North America?
   A: Uncertified products manufactured outside of North America need safety verification to comply with Canadian or U.S. requirements. The CSA Group SI/FE labels help facilitate acceptance by local AHJs.
2. Q: What if a product is out of scope from the current customer certification record?
   A: Manufacturers may alter certified products for customers, which invalidates the current certification record. A SI/FE can help plant operators and alternative energy equipment manufacturers demonstrate compliance by confirming the product meets the new requirements.
3. Q: What about modified or repurposed equipment in the field or facility?
   A: Using altered or repurposed equipment is common. Organizations often purchase equipment and then repair, retool, or relocate it, which voids previous certification. SI/FE verifies compliance with current standards.
4. Q: What should be done if equipment is “red-tagged” by AHJs?
   A: “Red-tagged equipment” is equipment that has not been accepted by AHJs. A SI/FE helps resolve the AHJ inspector’s safety compliance concerns, allowing the equipment to be approved.

CSA Group’s Special Inspections and Field Evaluations in North America

The process for SI in Canada and FE in the U.S. is designed to be robust and thorough, validating that all products meet the necessary standards and regulations.

CSA Group’s Special Inspection & Field Evaluation Benefits

For the evaluation of uncertified or modified products, systems, and equipment that are custom-built or manufactured in limited quantities, CSA Group’s SI/FE program offers the following advantages:

• On-Site Product Evaluation: Providing convenient and practical assessments directly at the installation site or manufacturer’s location.
• Compliance Demonstration: The CSA Group label indicates that products meet applicable safety requirements, demonstrating compliance with relevant standards.
• Regulatory Acceptance: The CSA Group label recognition by AHJs helps demonstrate that products comply with applicable codes and regulations.

Perspectives

The increasing trend of battery plant developments in North America highlights the value of obtaining SI/FE services in comparison to the traditional certification process. CSA Group is ready to support plant operators and alternative energy equipment suppliers, offering SI/FE services that address product compliance and logistical challenges. By obtaining the CSA Group label on their products, manufacturers can give AHJs confidence that their products meet the applicable requirements of the Canadian and U.S. markets.

For more information on CSA Group SI/FE services, please visit our website: csagroup.org/SI-FE.