SEMA-Aligned Racking Inspector — What It Means & Why It Matters

A SEMA-aligned racking inspector is an inspector who works following SEMA guidelines — the SEMA Code of Practice for the inspection of pallet racking — and holds SARI accreditation as an individual. That distinction matters: SEMA accredits people, not companies. When you commission an inspection from Rackstor UK Ltd, it is carried out by a named SARI accredited inspector whose SARI number appears on the report.

What Makes an Inspector SEMA-Aligned

Two things make an inspector genuinely SEMA-aligned:

1. Following SEMA guidelines. The inspection is carried out against the SEMA Code of Practice for the inspection of pallet racking, using the SEMA red / amber / green classification for defects and referencing SEMA damage limits for uprights, beams, baseplates and bracing.
2. SARI accreditation of the individual inspector. The person carrying out the inspection holds current SARI accreditation, signs the report and records their SARI number on it.

"SEMA-aligned" is the technically accurate description. The phrase "SEMA approved" is often used loosely in the market — SEMA does not use that phrase for inspectors, and the accurate way to describe a compliant inspector is either "SEMA-aligned" or "SARI accredited".

SARI Accreditation Explained

SARI — SEMA-Aligned Racking Inspector — is the individual accreditation scheme administered by the Storage Equipment Manufacturers' Association. To achieve SARI accreditation an inspector must:

• Demonstrate substantial hands-on industry experience with pallet racking systems
• Pass the SEMA technical examination covering racking design, damage assessment and remedial action
• Work to the SEMA Code of Practice on every inspection
• Maintain ongoing continuing professional development (CPD)
• Renew accreditation periodically to remain on the SARI register

SARI accreditation attaches to the person, not the company they work for. If your report does not carry an individual SARI number, it is not a SEMA-aligned inspection in the meaningful sense.

Rackstor's SARI Accredited Inspector

Rackstor UK Ltd inspections are led by Mr Thelwell, SARI No. 0100. Mr Thelwell attends site personally or oversees inspections carried out by other SARI accredited colleagues. Every report is signed and carries a SARI number, so the "competent person" required by PUWER 1998 Regulation 6 is documented and traceable.

Why It Matters for HSE and Insurance

HSE guidance HSG76 points employers to the SEMA Code of Practice as the recognised technical standard for racking inspection. If HSE investigate a racking incident under RIDDOR, one of the first pieces of evidence they will ask for is the most recent formal inspection report and the credentials of the inspector who carried it out. Insurers and landlords ask the same question at renewal. A report signed by a named SARI accredited inspector is the clearest possible evidence that a competent person carried out the inspection.

See our HSE racking inspection page for how HSE regulates racking safety and what happens if HSE investigate an incident.

How to Verify a SEMA-Aligned Racking Inspector

• Ask for the individual inspector's SARI number, in writing, before booking
• Check the report is signed by that named individual, not the company generically
• Confirm the report references the SEMA Code of Practice and uses red/amber/green classification
• Confirm the inspector holds current professional indemnity cover

SEMA-Aligned Racking Inspector FAQs