ANSI Standards

By Graphic Products Editorial Staff
Published: Feb 1, 2014
Updated: Jul 1, 2016

ansi labeling example

ANSI is the “American National Standards Institute.” They are a private organization involved with coordinating and publishing voluntary consensus standards that are used for nearly every product, process, and system in the US, for example, the computer or smart device you are using to read this article uses the ANSI code for displaying letters, numbers, and symbols on your screen. There are more than 10,000 ANSI standards – ANSI standards are everywhere.

In addition to publishing ANSI standards in the US ANSI is also involved with coordinating US standards with international standards, so that products can be used worldwide. The goal is to have products with consistent characteristics and performance, and terminology with consistent definitions, such that consumers can have confidence in their products, and that those products will function as described.

What is interesting is that ANSI itself does not develop standards. The ANSI standards are developed by other organizations and groups. What ANSI has done is to establish requirements for developing standards, and ANSI accredits organizations that meet all of those requirements.

What is covered by ANSI standards? This is how ANSI describes its standards:

American National Standards provide dimensions, ratings, terminology and symbols, test methods, and performance and safety requirements for personnel, products, systems and services in hundreds of industries. Many ANS [American National Standards] make it clear how to improve the safety of products for the protection of consumers, including products such as baby cribs, bicycle helmets, home appliances, lawn mowers, ladders, etc.

ANSI

As you see from the above, ANSI standards apply to consumer products. They also apply to industrial and commercial products, as well as the facilities that make those products.

ANSI Standards are Voluntary

ANSI is not a government agency, and the standards they publish are not backed by the force of law. That's why ANSI standards are called voluntary standards. However, some ANSI standards are referenced by enforceable codes and standards set by government agencies such as OSHA. For example OSHA 1910.145, “Specifications for Accident Prevention Signs and Tags” references ANSI Z53.1-1967. That, in effect, makes the ANSI standard a part of the OSHA standard, and OSHA can issue a citation if your workplace safety signs are not in compliance with the Z53.1-1967 ANSI standard.

Note that in the above example OSHA references the 1967 edition of the ANSI standard. There are more recent editions of this ANSI standard. For example, the Michigan OSHA (MIOSHA) references the 1971 edition of Z53.1, Updating OSHA standards is not a simple process. As a result OSHA does not always reference the most current ANSI standard. However, you must comply with the specific version of the ANSI standard that is referenced by OSHA.

What is an ANSI Standard?

ANSI, as well as ISO, defines a standard this way:

A standard is a document, established by consensus that provides rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results.

What this means is that standards may establish the size, shape, capacity, performance, and other characteristics a product must meet. Even something as simple as a light bulb must be designed according to standards, otherwise you might not be able to even screw a new light bulb into an existing socket. Think about all the different charging cords you have for your various electronic devices. It seems like each brand uses a different connector. Wouldn't it be nice if there were standards so that a charger made for one device would work for any other device that used the same voltage and current?

ANSI standards also provide performance specifications as well as safety standards. Some of the ANSI safety standards include:

ANSI Standard A14.1 - American National Standards for Ladders - Wood Safety Requirements
ANSI/ Standard Z359.13 - Personal Energy Absorbers and Energy Absorbing Lanyards
ANSI Standard A10.13 - Safety Requirements for Steel Erection
ANSI Standard 105 - Hand Protection Selection Criteria
ANSI Standard A1264-2 - Provision of Slip Resistance on Walking/Working Surfaces
ANSI Standard Z10 - Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

What is an ANSI Standard Conformity Assessment?

ANSI (and ISO) defines an ANSI Standard Conformity Assessment as:

Any activity concerned with determining directly or indirectly that relevant requirements are fulfilled. While a standard IS a technical expression of how to make a product safe, efficient, and compatible with others, a standard alone cannot guarantee performance. Conformity assessment, however, provides assurance to consumers by increasing consumer confidence when personnel, products, systems, processes or services are evaluated against the requirements of a voluntary standard.

ANSI standard conformity testing ensures that a product meets the requirements of the ANSI standards that it is required to meet, or which the manufacturer claims are being met. Conformity testing is done in one of three ways:

First Party Assessment – this is testing done by the manufacturer, supplier, or importer of a product. First party conformity assessment provides greater flexibility, and may even be built in as a part of an iterative design process. It may also be conducted prior to a second or third party assessment.
Second Party Assessment – typically takes place at the end of the design process or production cycle. A second party is an organization that has customer interests in mind. This may even be normal customers for the product. For example, industrial customers may examine and test the materials they purchase to ensure they meet the required specifications. This may include testing the material itself, as well as testing tolerances, fitness, durability, and safety.
Independent Third Party Assessment – this type of assessment is done by an organization that has no relationship with the company producing or supplying the product. The assessment typically takes place in a testing laboratory at the end of the design process or production cycle. Third party assessment provides the most trusted evaluation demonstrating the product meets the requirements of the applicable ANSI standards.

ANSI Safety and Sign Standards

We are a manufacturer of sign and labeling equipment and supplies. That means we are interested in ANSI standards from several perspectives, including their direct relationship to safety and signs. The ANSI Z536 standard covers the presentation of safety and accident prevention information. It specifies colors to be used, the signal words to be used, the criteria for safety symbols, and establishes a consistent visual layout for signs and labels.

Conforming to the ANSI standard for signs and labels is easy with a DuraLabel custom label printer. With DuraLabel you can make both standardized and custom safety signs with ease.

One of the necessary characteristics of signs and labels, that is not specified by the ANSI standard, is durability. Sign durability involves a combination of both the right material and the right adhesive. For example, not all adhesives work equally well on all surfaces. With more than 50 types of supplies available, DuraLabel always has the right supply for the job. That's why DuraLabel is the only brand that provides a warranty on vinyl signs and labels after they are applied.

Call 888.326.9244 for more information about DuraLabel custom label printers and tough-tested supplies. You are welcome to a free consultation concerning any sign or labeling problems you may have. If you are considering getting a new label printer, be sure to ask about the special money-saving DuraLabel kits.