NEMA Publishes ANSI Z535.6-2006, American National Standard for Product Safety Information in Product Manuals, Instructions, and Other Collateral Materials
ROSSLYN, VA, October 31, 2006-The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published ANSI Z535.6-2006, American National Standard for Product Safety Information in Product Manuals, Instructions, and Other Collateral Materials. This standard sets forth requirements for the design and location of product safety messages in collateral materials for a wide variety of products.
The purpose of the standard is to:
1) Address the applicability of elements of other ANSI Z535-series standards to collateral materials;
2) Establish a uniform and consistent visual layout for safety information in collateral materials for a wide variety of products;
3) Minimize the proliferation of designs for safety information in collateral materials;
4) Establish a national uniform system for the recognition of potential personal injury hazards for those persons using products;
5) Assist manufacturers in providing safety information in collateral materials; and
6) Promote the efficient development of safety messages in collateral materials.
"The ANSI Z535 standards have historically addressed how to communicate safety information in the workplace, public areas, and for industrial, as well as consumer products. They have focused on how to communicate through a variety of media, including signs, labels, tags, and tapes," said Chairman Gary M. Bell, Sauder Woodworking Company.
The new ANSI Z535.6-2006 "fills in a big piece that has been missing from prior considerations," explained Bell. "This new standard addresses the important media that is collectively termed 'collateral information,' which refers to the printed materials and electronic documents that typically accompany a product. These include items such as owner's manuals, maintenance instructions, assembly instructions, and user guides," he said.
According to Bell, "the new ANSI Z535.6-2006 helps assure that regardless of whether the collateral materials find their use in the home, the workplace, or a public area, the important safety information will be communicated effectively and consistently with other safety signs and labels that might also be in use."
The table of contents and scope of ANSI Z535.6-2006 may be viewed, or a hardcopy or electronic copy purchased for $69.00 by visiting NEMA's website at www.nema.org/stds/z535-6.cfm. Copies may also be purchased by contacting IHS at (800) 854-7179 (within the U.S.), (303) 397-7956 (international), or (303) 397-2740 (fax).
NEMA is the trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its 430 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity. These products are used in utility, medical imaging, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. Domestic production of electrical products sold worldwide exceeds $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing, São Paulo, and Mexico City.
Diane Davis
(703) 841-3222
dia_davis@nema.org
