Regulation Information

When creating signage or identification products, the last thing you want to worry about is the design compliance. That’s why we’ve simplified and summarized the most important regulations and standards relating to identification products. For more information on regulations visit the Electromark Blog. 

NESC
The NESC is the American National Standard for the safe installation, operation, and maintenance of electric power and communications systems by public and private utilities. The NESC is adopted as the governing code in whole or part by almost every state in the US.

ADA 
The Americans with Disabilities Act provides regulatory posting requirements and uniform graphic design guidelines for signs and markers used to identify special accommodations for individuals with disabilities. 

ANSI C136.15
The American National Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment-Luminaire Field Identification provides a uniform method for identifying the type and wattage rating of lighting systems used for roadway and area lighting. 

ANSI Z535
The ANSI Z535 is published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), and accredited by ANSI. This uniform standard is used for the design and application of safety signs, labels, tags, tapes, etc. and is intended to warn of hazardous situations that are to be avoided to prevent personal injury. Due to its’ national recognition in the United States, to avoid the creation of too many and possible confusing/conflicting standards, and in order to eliminate the need to create new standards of their own, the ANSI Z535 standard is almost always adopted as a part of various regulations and codes requiring safety markings. Click here to learn how to comply to ANSI standards.

ASTM
This standard provides a uniform set of performance standards that many materials must meet, as well as the standards by which the testing of these materials is to be conducted. Due to their international recognition and in order to eliminate the need to create new standards of their own, various ASTM standards are commonly specified as part of various regulations and codes. 

CSA Z321
The Canadian Standards Association, CSA Z321 is titled Signs and Symbols in the Workplace. Essentially similar in intent to parts of ANSI Z535, the last revision of CSA was in 1996 and it was withdrawn without replacement in March 2008. It is occasionally however still a cited or referenced standard. 

CSA Z462
The Canadian Standards Association, CSA Z462 is titled Workplace Electrical Safety Standard, and is essentially the Canadian version of NFPA 70E. 

DOT
The United States Department of Transportation provides regulatory placarding requirements and uniform graphic design guidelines for placards used on vehicles transporting hazardous materials. 

EEMAC L16-1
The Electrical and Electronic Manufacturer’s Association of Canada, L16-1 is titled Standard Transformer Distribution Labels, and provides specifications for materials, performance, and design of warning labels to be affixed to distribution transformers. 

EPA 40CFR761
Part of the Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR Protection of the Environment, 40 CFR 761 is titled Polychlorinated D Biphenyls (PCBs) Manufacturing, Processing, Distribution in Commerce, and Use Prohibitions. Subpart C details marking requirements of PCB containing items including the graphic design of labeling components. 

FHWA/MUTCD
The Federal Highway Administration is a regulatory agency that published the MUTCD, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The MUTCD is the standard for the use, design, and materials for signs, signals, and pavement markings used on public highways and areas open to public traffic within the United States. 

IEEE
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers publishes the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) which provides a uniform set of safety standards for the installation, operation, and maintenance of electrical and communication supply lines and equipment. OSHA is known to consider the NESC in its regulations, and public service and utility commissions across the United States and many other countries mandate adherence to the code in part of in whole. 

IFC SECTION 311.5
The International Fire Code provides standards to regulate fire hazards in buildings. These standards are adopted in part or full by various government and regulatory agencies at local or states levels. Section 311.15 of the IFC deals specifically withy placarding requirements for vacant/un-maintained buildings and is aimed at keeping firefighting personnel informed of internal structural conditions for purposes of safety.

NFPA 70E
This standard, titled Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, provides a set of standards to protect people from the hazards of electrical energy in the workplace. Originally developed at the request of OSHA, NFPA 70E is recognized as a primary industry consensus standard towards OSHA compliance that proper safety measures are observed.

OSHA 1910.147
Part of the Code of Federal Regulations 29 CFR 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards; 1910.147 is titled The Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout). This standard provides the regulatory requirements for lockout/tagout including design specifications for lockout/tagout devices.