Note: This document serves as a summary of the changes in the ANSI Z535.4 standards as of 2002. For more detailed information on the ANSI Z535.4 2002 Revision, click here. For more detailed information about safety labeling standards in general, click here.

In the 1991 and 1998 versions of the ANSI Z535.4 standard, product manufacturers could choose to use the ANSI Z535.2 Environmental and Facility Safety Sign Standard format for their product safety labels if they so desired. These "OSHA-style" formats are holdovers from the 1970's-era Z53.1 standard. In the 1998 revision of the Z535.2 standard, the Z535.4 format was the "preferred" format, while the older formats were defined as "alternate" formats. In the 2002 revision of the Z535.2 standard, the Z535.4 format will be the only format allowed. The old formats are gone from all of the Z535 standards. This being the case, the option for product manufacturers to use the old formats is gone. Product manufacturers currently using the old style signage should immediately switch to the ANSI Z535.4 format to comply with ANSI Z535-2002 standards.

The new 2002 version of the Z535.4 and .2 standards contains a change that qualifies the use of symbols. It reads as follows:

"Safety symbols may be used to clarify, supplement or substitute for a portion or all of the word message found in a message panel. A symbol may only be used to substitute for a portion or all of a word message if it has been demonstrated to be satisfactorily comprehended (e.g., Annex B of ANSI Z535.3) or there is a means (e.g., instructions, training materials, manuals, etc.) to inform people of the symbol's meaning."

This statement is important because it acknowledges the use of other sources to assist in communicating and explaining the intent of symbols on safety labels. Often times the message intended to be conveyed by a symbol is not fully grasped at first glance. Thus, training is now a viable option to assist in safety label comprehension.

The new 2002 version of the Z535.4 standard has an annex D that contains standardized translations for the signal words DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION. Clarion was instrumental in developing this annex first in ISO, then with SEMI, and now in the ANSI Z535.4 standard.

The 2002 revision of Z535.4 includes an Annex C which discusses the use of ISO-formatted safety labels with the following text:

"ISO standards such as ISO 3864 and other ISO industry-specific standards exist for product safety signs and labels. These ISO-formatted safety signs have been used internationally for many years.

In some instances, it may be possible for a safety sign or label to be in conformance with ANSI Z535.4 and an ISO standard. In other instances, conformance with one standard will not result in conformance with one or more aspects of the other.

A decision to convey all or a portion of a product's safety information in the form of ISO formatted signs may be based on several factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the product's anticipated market, the movement of the product from country to country during its expected life, the target audience's characteristics, and space availability on the product.

Harmonization activities between ANSI Z535 and ISO standards have been on-going since 1995 and the next revision of ANSI Z535.4 will reflect the latest developments in this effort."

Essentially what is missing in the graphic-only ISO approach to safety labeling is the ability to communicate the level of hazard severity. In symbol-only formats there is obviously no signal word (which is the element in the Z535 formats that conveys severity). For the 2002 revision, the Z535 committee felt they were not willing to eliminate the need for a signal word. Thus, symbol-only ISO formats were not incorporated into the ANSI Z535.4 standard in 2002.

The President of Clarion, Geoffrey Peckham, is on the ANSI Z535 committee and chairs the U.S. TAG to ISO/TC 145, the committee in charge of ISO 3864. For several years he has been working diligently to bring about the harmonization of these standards so manufacturers have a full range of options to choose from – making it possible for them to be in compliance with both U.S. and international standards. Sign up for Clarion's Mailing List and Clarion will keep you informed as to the progress of harmonization activities.

• To learn more about Safety Labeling Standards, click here.
• To learn about Clarion's customization abilities, click here.
• To design custom safety labels online using Clarion LabelCAD™, click here.
• To contact Clarion to discuss your particular safety labeling needs, click here.
• For more information on Geoffrey Peckham's background, click here.