As published by MHI:In 1996, the Institute of Caster and Wheel Manufacturers (ICWM) Long Range Planning Committee identified the need to develop a complete and comprehensive North American performance standard for casters and wheels. Until this project was undertaken by the newly appointed ICWM Standards Committee (September, 1996), a comprehensive North American performance standard for casters and wheels did not exist. The ICWM Standards Committee, consisting of a cross section of the top engineers in the caster and wheel industry, met on an almost monthly basis for three and a half years to complete the work of producing the ICWM North American Performance Standard for Casters and Wheels. The Institute of Caster and Wheel Manufacturers is an evolutionary refinement of the Caster & Floor Truck Manufacturers Association, which was founded in 1933 to educate members and users about the products of this industry and to maintain liaison with governmental agencies and other organizations. In 1950 the Association began developing standards for manual material handling products. Through the years, the Association and the Institute have developed a series of caster and wheel standards and standards for industrial trailer trucks, platform trucks, and towline trucks. ICWM cooperated with the General Service Administration, the Department of Defense, Post Office and other agencies in establishing federal and military specifications. In 1967 ICWM developed the American National Standards Institute's Industrial Caster Standard MH11.1.
You can see many examples of this in Amazon's caster reviews, where customers often complain of the casters not meeting the load ratings that the seller claimed they would support and sometimes damage to equipment or injuries occurring. This is why ANSI ICWM testing standards are so important. It ensures that there are controlled tests in place that a caster must pass to ensure a safe and lasting performance life. From durability testing, brake fatigue testing, and impact testing, ANSI ICWM standards are what leading US manufacturers use to safely rate and qualify the quality of their caster and wheel products. Use caution when talking to a reseller or online source who does not know how their casters were rated.
As listed on the cover of their document (link below): The ICWM Performance Standard for Casters and Wheels provides a common basis for evaluating the safety, durability, structural adequacy, and technical requirements for category specific casters and wheels (Furniture Chair Casters, Furniture Non-Chair Casters, Industrial Casters, Institutional and Medical Equipment Bed Casters). Defines industry terms, specific tests, equipment/methods that can be used, conditions of tests, and minimum acceptance levels used in evaluation. These acceptance levels are based on field and test experiences.
The ICWM Performance Standard for Casters and Wheels provides a common basis for evaluating the safety, durability, structural adequacy, and technical requirements for category specific casters and wheels (Furniture Chair Casters, Furniture Non-Chair Casters, Industrial Casters, Institutional and Medical Equipment Bed Casters). Defines industry terms, specific tests, equipment/methods that can be used, conditions of tests, and minimum acceptance levels used in evaluation. These acceptance levels are based on field and test experiences.
Caster Specialists features casters that are designed and tested to ANSI ICWM standards for lasting safety and performance. As a Google Top Quality Store, we have earned the trust of thousands of customers around the country, including many of the largest automotive and industrial manufacturers and distribution leaders in the marketplace today. This article covers the basics of the standards and why they can be critical to the safety and performance of your mobile equipment and users/employees.
Without standards, any manufacturer or seller of casters can set and publish their load ratings by any method they want. Are they publishing a dynamic load (the approved working capacity) or a static load capacity (capacity of non-moving equipment)? How did they determine the load rating? Was it just set to match the competition, or did they conduct appropriate durability testing that is designed to simulate the life expectancy of a caster (in an accelerated controlled test)?
Until this project was undertaken by the newly appointed ICWM Standards Committee (September, 1996), a comprehensive North American performance standard for casters and wheels did not exist. The ICWM Standards Committee, consisting of a cross section of the top engineers in the caster and wheel industry, met on an almost monthly basis for three and a half years to complete the work of producing the ICWM North American Performance Standard for Casters and Wheels.
Safety is important to the industry and to Caster Specialists. Please contact us with any questions, we advertise that our casters are tested to these standards to bring awareness to buyers and engineers actively buying or specifying casters. There are many caster options out there, and many do not have the appropriate testing to validate their published ratings.
As published by MHI:In 1996, the Institute of Caster and Wheel Manufacturers (ICWM) Long Range Planning Committee identified the need to develop a complete and comprehensive North American performance standard for casters and wheels.
Durability (section 6.9 dynamic; shown in image below) tests to ensure the safe rolling, swiveling, and ability to withstand barriers at various speeds over 5,000 barriers (with direction changes)
资料来源：企业官网公司介绍页面（复核日期：2026-10-29）。