ANSI contacted ISEA in May 2023 regarding what it views as improper use on gloves and marketing collateral of its trademark. Examples include use of terms like “ANSI Certified”, “ANSI Cut”, “or ANSI A4”, or use of “ANSI/ISEA 105” with the version year omitted.

ISEA has had a close working relationship with ANSI for decades, and despite us being in near-constant communication with them on a variety of issues, this was the first that they have has raised this issue. We’ve since learned this is part of a broader ANSI effort to protect the use of its trademark, across all industries. ISEA’s outside counsel has had several other clients in other industries be approached by ANSI regarding use of their trademark.

(originally shared with ISEA members on May 18, 2023)

At ISEA’s urging, ANSI has added additional detail to its public logo/mark usage guidelines page. We encourage all members to review this in detail. To give members the best information possible, ISEA has prepared an informational document.

Although ANSI has reviewed this informational document and has communicated in writing that they “don’t have any major objections” with its content, please note that ISEA is providing this for informational purposes only – neither ANSI nor ISEA is able to provide professional or legal advice.

(originally shared with ISEA members on June 22, 2023)

Among safety product standards, the most familiar name is ANSI, which stands for the American National Standards Institute. But while it’s the most familiar, ANSI’s role is often misunderstood.

ANSI is a federation formed by standards writers and users, that manages the voluntary standards system in the United States. ANSI is not a government agency, although it works closely with the government, and is the official United States voice in international standards bodies. Its revenue comes from its membership, in the form of dues and fees, and from the sale of standards publications.

ANSI does not develop standards.

This comes as a surprise to a lot of people. ANSI’s role is to coordinate the activities of organizations in the US that do develop standards. ANSI approves the establishment of standards committees and new standards projects, sets the rules for the various methods that standards developers use, oversees the process, and approves the final products as American National Standards.

ANSI rules and procedures require that standards development processes incorporate the elements of openness, balance, transparency, consensus and due process.

Regardless of how a standard is drafted, it has to be offered for public review, and the sponsoring organization has to resolve the public comments before it gets ANSI approval.

Once approved, an ANSI standard has a 5-year lifetime. ANSI will withdraw approval from a standard that is not revised, rescinded or reaffirmed at least every five years.