02/06/2026
Mixing racking brands is now banned under AS4084:2023.
Under the latest Australian standard, mixing racking and brand-compatible components in the same row is no longer permitted for new installations or any repaired/modified racking.
Why does it matter?
Brand-compatible products (predominantly made in Asia) are designed to connect with the original, but they're not manufactured to the same quality. The steel is typically a lighter grade with different load capabilities and every manufacturer produces their own load tables based on their specific components.
When you mix brands, those load ratings become impossible to rely on. In many cases, compatible components carry no markings at all, making it very difficult to even identify the brand, let alone source the relevant load tables. Without a costly re-engineering process that assesses every single component, no company can accurately advise what that rack can safely carry.
Here's what we keep seeing: clients who, with the best of intentions, believe they have purchased genuine racking but received a mix of brands that just look the same. Not only have they likely been overcharged for what is largely a copy product, but under the new standard, they now face the added cost of bringing the installation up to compliance.
Used racking is a great value proposition, just make sure you know what you are buying and more importantly, what you are getting. Genuine branded racking has the brand marked on the components, compatible copies don't.
All used racking that Absolute Storage buys and sells can be rated and is genuine, whether that is Schaefer, Dexion, Colby or Stow. If you are not sure of what you are getting, ask the seller to put in writing that it complies with AS4084:2023, that the rows of racking are all the same brand, and that it is accurately rated.
Legitimate companies won't hesitate when asked. Less reputable ones will.
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