Is there a conflict between ISO and ANSI over which safety label format to choose?
Yes. It is important to note that a problem often arises when it comes to choosing safety labeling formats. First there is the need to meet international requirements for exported products – which means using international safety label formats. Second, there is the need to use U.S. standards because they are the measure U.S. courts use to determine the “state-of-the-art” (in this case, ANSI Z535.4). Although Z535.4 is a voluntary standard (meaning there is no law that states that you have to use it), your legal duty to warn in the U.S. is based on meeting or exceeding this standard. Therefore, in cases where ISO and ANSI Z535.4 standards apply, harmonization may be the best alternative.
Yes and no. It is important to note that a problem often arises when it comes to choosing safety labeling formats. First there is the need to meet international requirements for exported products – which means using international safety label formats. Second, there is the need to use U.S. standards because they are the measure U.S. courts use to determine the “state-of-the-art” (in this case, ANSI Z535.4). Although ANSI Z535.4 is a voluntary standard (meaning there is no law that states that you have to use it), your legal duty to warn in the U.S. is based on meeting or exceeding this standard. Therefore, in cases where ISO and ANSI Z535.4 standards apply, such as when your market for your product is global in scope, using a harmonize approach to your product safety labeling is in your company’s best interest. There are many choices to be made here and Clarion’s customer service staff is well versed in assisting our clients through the options so right decisions can be made.
