Safety & Compliance: Built for Certification
VENDOR is engineered from day one with safety and regulatory compliance in mind. Our solid-state architecture eliminates many risks inherent in traditional power systems.
Safety isn’t an add-on — it’s the foundation of VENDOR’s architecture. By eliminating combustion, moving parts, and chemical batteries, we’ve removed the primary failure modes that plague traditional power systems. Our design philosophy: make certification easier through inherent safety, not just through compliance paperwork.
Current Status Badge:
TRL 5-6 | CE/UL Pathway Active | ISO Roadmap Defined
Inherent Safety Features
Safety by Design: What We Eliminate
The safest risks are the ones you never take. VENDOR’s solid-state architecture removes entire categories of hazards that traditional power systems must manage.
No Combustion = Greatly Reduced Fire Risk
What Traditional Systems Have:
- Diesel generators: fuel storage, hot exhaust, fire suppression systems
- Gas generators: explosive fuel lines, ignition hazards
- Conventional systems: thermal management challenges
What VENDOR Eliminates:
- No fuel storage or handling
- No fuel-related combustion sources
- No exhaust or open flame surfaces as in engine-based systems
- Operating temperatures comparable to standard power electronics (no engine-like hot zones)
- No fuel spill cleanup
Safety Advantage: Lower insurance premiums, simpler facility requirements, reduced emergency response planning.
Important note: like any power electronics, VENDOR must still be installed and operated according to applicable electrical and fire safety codes.
No Moving Parts = Greatly Reduced Mechanical Hazards
What Traditional Systems Have:
- Rotating generators: mechanical failure modes, bearing wear
- Moving components: pinch points, blade hazards
- Vibration: mounting failures, structural fatigue
What VENDOR Eliminates:
- No rotating machinery
- No mechanical wear and tear
- No vibration-induced failures
- No mechanical maintenance cycles
- No moving-part-related hazards (no rotating assemblies, no belts, no fans)
Safety Advantage: Predictable failure modes, longer operational life, lower maintenance risk.
Electrical Safety
Design Principles:
- Voltage containment: high-voltage discharge fully contained within sealed modules
- Safety isolation: multiple isolation layers between internal discharge and external connections
- Low-voltage outputs: 3.3–12 V DC for VENDOR.Zero; AC via standard inverter for VENDOR.Max
- Surge protection: built-in surge resistance for grid and load transients
- Fail-safe architecture: system defaults to a safe state on anomaly detection
Compliance Target: IEC 62368-1 (electrical safety standard).
Environmental & Chemical Safety
What VENDOR Eliminates:
- No chemical batteries (no lithium-ion fire risk, no acid leakage)
- No hazardous material handling
- Zero direct operational emissions (no on-site fuel combustion)
- Reduced thermal footprint
- No chemical waste disposal
Environmental Compliance:
- EU Battery Regulation: device does not contain batteries
- WEEE Directive: standard electronics disposal only
- RoHS: compliant materials selection
Safety by Design: What VENDOR Eliminates
The safest risks are the ones you never take. VENDOR's solid-state architecture removes entire categories of hazards.
No Combustion
No fuel storage, no hot exhaust, no fire suppression systems required. Greatly reduced fire risk compared to engine-based power.
No Moving Parts
No rotating machinery, no mechanical wear, no vibration-induced failures. Predictable solid-state operation only.
Electrical Safety
High-voltage discharge fully contained. Multiple isolation layers. Low-voltage outputs (3.3-12V DC). Fail-safe architecture.
No Chemical Batteries
No lithium-ion fire risk, no acid leakage, no hazardous material handling, no chemical waste disposal required.
VENDOR's solid-state architecture eliminates combustion, moving parts, and chemical batteries — the three primary failure modes in traditional power systems.
Lower insurance premiums, simpler facility requirements, reduced emergency response planning, and predictable failure modes.
EMC/EMI Compliance
Electromagnetic Compatibility: Clean Operation
Power systems must coexist with sensitive electronics. VENDOR is designed for low electromagnetic interference and high immunity to external disturbances.
Design Principles
- EMI-friendly architecture: Minimized radiated emissions
- Low-harmonics generation: Clean waveform output
- RF-quiet profile: No disruptive electromagnetic signature
- Shielded design: Proper grounding and shielding protocols
Compliance Targets
- EN 55011 / CISPR 11 (Conducted and Radiated Emissions)
- FCC Part 15 (US Emissions Standards)
- IEC 61000-4 series (Immunity Testing)
Current Status (TRL 5–6)
- Pre-compliance testing initiated
- Design iterations for EMC optimization ongoing
- Full compliance testing scheduled for 2026
Note: EMC compliance is iterative. The design includes margin for adjustments based on formal testing results.
Certification Roadmap
Path to Global Certification
“Certification is a journey, not a destination. We’ve mapped a realistic timeline aligned with our technology readiness and market needs.”
Certification Timeline
2025–2026 (TRL 5–6 Phase) — Current
- Internal safety audits complete
- Pre-compliance testing initiated (EMC, electrical safety)
- CE pathway defined together with TÜV, with no fundamental blockers identified so far
- Technical dossier development started (60% complete)
- Pre-audit engagement with notified bodies
2026–2027 (TRL 7 Phase) — Seed Round
- CE Marking preparation (EU)
- Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
- EMC Directive
- RED (if wireless features added)
- UL 508 preparation (US/Canada industrial control equipment)
- ISO 9001 implementation (Quality Management)
- Pilot deployments with compliance monitoring
2027–2028 (TRL 8 Phase) — Joint Round
- CE Marking granted (Target: Q3–Q4 2028)
- UL 508 granted (Target: Q3–Q4 2028)
- ISO 50001 certified (Energy Management)
- ISO 14001 finalization (Environmental Management)
- IEC 61850 (Grid integration — advanced feature, not blocking)
2028+ (TRL 9 / Commercial) — Series A+
- Sector-specific certifications (telecom, defense, industrial)
- Regional certifications (additional markets as needed)
- Ongoing surveillance audits and recertification
Certification Roadmap
Realistic timeline aligned with technology readiness and regulatory requirements
Realistic Expectations: We promise clear certification pathway with no fundamental blockers discovered in pre-audit. We don't promise exact dates (regulatory bodies set timelines) or zero design iterations (expect 1-2 cycles for EMC/safety refinement).
Current Status: TRL 5-6 prototypes not yet certified for commercial deployment. Pilot programs operate under experimental/R&D frameworks with appropriate risk disclosure.
Realistic Expectations
What We Promise
- Clear certification pathway identified
- No fundamental design blockers discovered in pre-audit
- Budget and timeline allocated for iterative testing
- Parallel notified body strategy (TÜV and Intertek backup)
What We Don’t Promise
- Exact certification dates (regulatory bodies set timelines)
- Zero design iterations (expect 1–2 cycles for EMC and safety refinement)
- First-pass certification (normal process includes re-testing)
Our Approach: Conservative timelines, proactive design margin, experienced compliance partners.
Note: Current products are TRL 5–6 prototypes not yet certified for commercial deployment. Pilot programs operate under experimental and R&D frameworks with appropriate risk disclosure.
Standards & Regulatory Framework
Compliance Standards We Target
Electrical Safety
- IEC 62368-1: Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment — Safety requirements
- IEC 60950-1: Information technology equipment — Safety (legacy, transitioning to 62368-1)
- UL 508: Industrial Control Equipment
Electromagnetic Compatibility
- EN 55011 / CISPR 11: Industrial, scientific and medical equipment — Radio-frequency disturbance characteristics
- IEC 61000-4 series: Electromagnetic compatibility — Testing and measurement techniques
- FCC Part 15: Radio frequency devices (US)
Energy & Environmental
- ISO 50001: Energy management systems
- ISO 14001: Environmental management systems
- EU Battery Regulation: VENDOR devices do not contain batteries
- RoHS: Restriction of Hazardous Substances
Quality Management
- ISO 9001: Quality management systems
- ISO 13485: Medical devices quality (if medical applications pursued)
Grid & Utility (Advanced)
- IEC 61850: Communication networks and systems for power utility automation
- IEEE 1547: Interconnection and interoperability of distributed energy resources
Defense & Government (Sector-Specific)
- MIL-STD: Military Standards (for defense applications)
- TEMPEST: Electromagnetic security (for sensitive environments)
Compliance Standards We Target
Global certification roadmap across electrical safety, EMC, environmental, quality, and sector-specific requirements
Electrical Safety
EMC / EMI
Environmental
Quality Management
Grid & Utility
Defense & Government
Multi-layered certification strategy: Core electrical and EMC standards enable commercial deployment. Advanced grid and sector-specific certifications unlock specialized markets.
Conservative timeline with parallel notified body strategy (TÜV + Intertek backup) ensures thorough compliance process.
Regulatory Advantages
VENDOR's Regulatory Position
EU Battery Regulation Status
The Challenge (for competitors):
- Carbon footprint declarations
- Strict recycling and circularity targets over the full battery lifecycle
- Due diligence on supply chain
- Digital battery passport
- Performance and durability requirements
VENDOR’s Position: Because VENDOR devices do not contain batteries, the specific lifecycle obligations of the EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542) for battery products do not apply to the device itself. We still comply with general product, environmental, WEEE and RoHS requirements. However, we avoid the complex battery-specific compliance burden that affects:
- Li-ion energy storage systems
- Battery backup systems
- Portable power stations
Environmental Compliance Advantage
Zero Direct Operational Emissions:
- No Scope 1 emissions (no on-site fuel combustion)
- No refrigerant gases
- No chemical process emissions
Simplified Reporting:
- No emissions monitoring equipment
- No air quality permits
- No fuel storage permits
- No hazardous waste manifests
Green Investment Qualification:
- EU Taxonomy alignment potential
- ESG-friendly investment profile
- Carbon credit compatibility
Insurance & Liability Benefits
Lower Risk Profile:
- No fuel or gas explosion risk (no combustible fuel stored or handled on site)
- Greatly reduced fire risk (no fuel-related combustion sources)
- Simplified fire protection design compared to fuel-based generator rooms (no dedicated fuel storage suppression systems)
- No chemical exposure liability
- Predictable failure modes
Result: Potentially lower insurance premiums and simplified facility requirements.
Third-Party Validation
Independent Verification
Current Status (TRL 5–6)
Internal validation complete. Third-party certification in progress.
Notified Bodies & Testing Labs
- TÜV SÜD (Germany): Primary candidate for CE marking pathway; pre-engagement in progress
- Intertek (Global): Secondary partner and UL pathway candidate
- DNV (Norway): Energy systems certification (planned)
- IMQ (Italy): Independent lab testing (backup)
Timeline
- Q1–Q2 2026: Pre-audit completion
- Q2–Q4 2026: Design iterations based on pre-audit feedback
- 2027: Formal testing begins
- Q3–Q4 2028: CE/UL certification target
What Third-Party Validation Provides
- Independent safety verification
- Market credibility
- Insurance acceptance
- Customer confidence
- Regulatory approval for commercial deployment
Note: Third-party certification is not complete. Current timeline estimates are based on pre-audit feedback and industry benchmarks. Actual dates depend on testing results and regulatory body schedules.
Our Certification Partners
Independent verification from globally recognized notified bodies and testing laboratories
Germany
Primary CE Marking pathway partner
Global
UL pathway & secondary certification partner
Norway
Energy systems certification (planned)
Italy
Independent lab testing (backup)
Parallel Strategy: Two notified bodies engaged (TÜV + Intertek) with multiple lab relationships to mitigate certification risk.
Timeline: Pre-audit completion Q1-Q2 2026 • Formal testing 2027 • CE/UL target Q3-Q4 2028
Safety in Practice
Real-World Safety Considerations
Installation Safety
- Standard electrical safety protocols apply
- Professional installation recommended for VENDOR.Max (kW-scale systems)
- VENDOR.Zero designed for field deployment (IoT-scale, low voltage)
- Grounding and overcurrent protection per local electrical codes
Operational Safety
- Sealed modules (no user-serviceable parts)
- Thermal monitoring (system shuts down if temperature exceeds safe limits)
- Electrical isolation (multiple layers between high-voltage internals and outputs)
- Status indicators (clear visual or audible warnings for anomalies)
Maintenance Safety
- Minimal maintenance required (no fuel handling, no battery swaps)
- Inspection-only service protocols
- Trained technician access for module-level service
- Modular replacement (swap faulty units; no field repair of internals)
Decommissioning & Disposal
- Standard electronic waste (WEEE compliant)
- No hazardous chemical disposal
- Recyclable materials where feasible
- End-of-life documentation provided
Risk Management & Contingency
How We Manage Certification Risk
Our Strategy
1. Parallel Pathways
- Two notified bodies engaged (TÜV and Intertek)
- Multiple lab relationships (primary and backup)
- Alternative product configurations (if one SKU is blocked, others proceed)
2. Design Margin
- EMC performance headroom built into prototypes
- Safety factor in electrical isolation
- Conservative thermal limits
3. Expert Partners
- External compliance consultant contracted
- Notified body pre-engagement (early design review)
- Experienced certification project manager
4. Financial Buffer
- Dedicated budget reserved for design iterations, compliance consultants and additional lab testing
- Contingency allocation for re-testing cycles
- Insurance and liability coverage in place
5. Timeline Realism
- Conservative estimates (12–18 months for CE and UL)
- Expectation of 1–2 design cycles (normal for new technology)
- Series A timeline accounts for potential regulatory delays
What This Means: We’re not betting the company on first-pass certification. We’ve planned for iteration, allocated budget for redesign, and engaged multiple partners to reduce single-point-of-failure risk.
Certification Risk Management
Five-pillar strategy to mitigate regulatory and certification risks
Parallel Pathways
Two notified bodies (TÜV + Intertek), multiple labs, alternative product configurations
Design Margin
EMC performance headroom, safety factors in electrical isolation, conservative thermal limits
Expert Partners
External compliance consultants, notified body pre-engagement, experienced certification PM
Financial Buffer
Dedicated budget for design iterations, re-testing cycles, consultants, and liability coverage
Timeline Realism
Conservative 12-18 month estimates, expect 1-2 design cycles, Series A accounts for delays
We're not betting the company on first-pass certification. Planned for iteration, allocated budget for redesign, engaged multiple partners to reduce single-point-of-failure risk.
Strategy: Build contingency into timeline and budget, not hope for regulatory miracles.
For Decision-Makers
What You Need to Know
If You’re a Pilot Partner:
- Current products are TRL 5–6 prototypes under experimental use
- Pilot deployments operate under R&D frameworks (not commercial)
- CE/UL certification expected 2028 (target for commercial deployment)
- Risk disclosure and liability agreements apply
- Insurance and safety protocols are your responsibility during pilots
If You’re an Investor:
- Certification risk is real but manageable (parallel pathways, design margin, experienced partners)
- Budget allocated for iterative compliance
- Timeline is conservative (regulatory bodies set schedules, not us)
- Pre-audit feedback positive (no fundamental blockers identified)
- Regulatory moat advantage vs battery-dependent competitors
If You’re a Corporate Buyer:
- Commercial deployment awaits certification (2028 target)
- Pilot programs available now (experimental/R&D basis)
- Safety profile simpler than diesel or battery alternatives
- Insurance-friendly architecture (greatly reduced fire risk)
- Regulatory roadmap aligned with procurement timelines
If You’re a Regulator/Certifier:
- We welcome early engagement and design review
- Open to feedback and design iteration
- Committed to full compliance, not shortcuts
- Timeline expectations are realistic
- Documentation prepared to professional standards
