What is LEEA Accreditation

What is LEEA?

LEEA stands for the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association. It is the leading international trade association for companies involved in the lifting industry, covering design, manufacture, repair, refurbishment, hire, testing, examination, and maintenance of lifting equipment.

LEEA was founded in 1944 in the United Kingdom, originally as the Chain Testers Association of Great Britain. It was renamed to the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association in 1988 to reflect the broader scope of its worldwide membership. Today LEEA has over 1,170 members across 72 countries, with its headquarters in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK.

What Does LEEA Accreditation Mean?

To become a LEEA member, a company must undergo rigorous technical audits of its working practices, facilities, tools, and procedures. Membership is not a one-time achievement. Companies are subject to ongoing audits and must demonstrate continuous compliance with the LEEA Code of Practice and relevant national and international standards.

LEEA membership is voluntary. This is an important distinction. Unlike legislation such as LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) in the UK, LEEA standards go above and beyond the minimum legal requirements. Companies that hold LEEA membership are demonstrating a commitment to safety and competence that exceeds what is legally required.

Employees at LEEA member companies are required to undertake LEEA training and continuous professional development. Qualified examiners are issued a LEEA TEAM Card (Test, Examination And Maintenance) which can be verified by customers online.

Why Buy From a LEEA-Accredited Supplier?

When you purchase lifting equipment from a LEEA-accredited supplier, you are assured that:

1. The equipment has been inspected and examined by trained, qualified professionals, not self-certified.

2. The supplier is independently audited and held accountable by an international industry body.

3. The qualifications of individual examiners can be verified through the LEEA TEAM Card system.

4. Your risk as a duty holder (the person legally responsible for equipment safety on your site) is minimised.

5. The supplier has demonstrated competence beyond minimum regulatory compliance.

Principal contractors and procurement teams across mining, port operations, and offshore industries increasingly require LEEA membership from their lifting equipment suppliers as a condition of doing business.

What Equipment Does LEEA Cover?

Lifting Machines

Chain blocks and hoists (manual, electric, pneumatic), lever hoists, overhead cranes, gantry cranes, hydraulic and mechanical jacks, jaw winches, and runway structures.

Lifting Accessories

Wire rope slings, chain slings, webbing slings (flat and round), shackles (bow, dee, and grab types), eyebolts, hooks, sheaves and pulleys, swivels, and connecting links.

Specialist Equipment

Lifting beams, spreader beams, vacuum lifters, magnetic lifters, clamps, grabs, and containers used for lifting.

LEEA and Southern Africa

In South Africa, the lifting industry is represented by LEEASA (Lifting Equipment Engineering Association of South Africa), which is a separate organisation from LEEA International. LEEASA is a voluntary association recognised by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and is involved in the development of the Driven Machinery Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993).

South African legislation requires lifting equipment to be designed to accepted technical standards, clearly marked with maximum load capacities, regularly inspected and performance tested, and fitted with appropriate safety features.

Marine Ropes is a LEEA-accredited supplier. Our lifting equipment is sourced, handled, and supplied in accordance with LEEA standards. This gives mining operations, port operators, and vessel operators across the SADC region confidence that every product meets internationally recognised safety and quality standards.

Contact Us

For lifting equipment enquiries, certification questions, or product selection assistance, contact our team.

Phone: +264 83 728 9300 | Email: salesdesk@marine-ropes.com