The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) coordinates over 10,000 voluntary consensus standards governing product safety, performance, and labeling across U.S. industries. For facility safety professionals, the most critical ANSI standards include ANSI/ASME A13.1 for pipe marking, ANSI Z535 for safety signs and colors, and ANSI Z359 for fall protection. While ANSI standards are voluntary, many become enforceable when referenced by OSHA regulations—making non-compliance a citable offense.
In addition to publishing ANSI standards in the U.S., ANSI is also involved with coordinating U.S. standards with international standards so that products can be used worldwide. The goal is to have products with consistent characteristics and performance and terminology with consistent definitions. That way, consumers can have confidence in their products, and those products will meet functionality. However, ANSI does not develop standards. The ANSI standards are developed by other organizations and groups. What ANSI has done is to establish requirements for developing standards, and ANSI accredits organizations that meet all of those requirements.
What types of products and facilities do ANSI standards cover?
This is how ANSI describes its standards:
American National Standards provide dimensions, ratings, terminology and symbols, test methods, and performance and safety requirements for personnel, products, systems and services in hundreds of industries. Many ANS [American National Standards] make it clear how to improve the safety of products for the protection of consumers, including products such as baby cribs, bicycle helmets, home appliances, lawn mowers, ladders, etc.
ANSI standards apply to consumer products. They also apply to industrial and commercial products, as well as the facilities that make those products.
Are ANSI standards legally enforceable?
ANSI is not a government agency, and the standards they publish are not backed by the force of law. That's why ANSI standards are called voluntary standards. However, some ANSI standards are referenced by enforceable codes and standards set by government agencies such as OSHA. For example, OSHA 1910.145, "Specifications for Accident Prevention Signs and Tags" references ANSI Z53.1-1967. That, in effect, makes the ANSI standard a part of the OSHA standard, and OSHA can issue a citation if your workplace safety signs are not in compliance with the Z53.1-1967 ANSI standard.
Note that, in the above example, OSHA references the 1967 edition of the ANSI standard. There are more recent editions of this ANSI standard. For example, the Michigan OSHA (MIOSHA) references the 1971 edition of Z53.1, Updating OSHA standards is not a simple process. As a result, OSHA does not always reference the most current ANSI standard. However, you must comply with the specific version of the ANSI standard that is referenced by OSHA.
Expert Insight:
One of the most common compliance gaps we see in facilities is treating 'voluntary' ANSI standards as optional. In practice, OSHA inspectors routinely cite facilities under the General Duty Clause for failing to follow widely recognized ANSI standards—even ones not explicitly referenced in OSHA regulations. For pipe marking specifically, ANSI/ASME A13.1 is the de facto standard inspectors expect to see applied. Facilities that proactively adopt the latest edition demonstrate due diligence that can mitigate citation severity." — Duralabel Safety Experts
Why ANSI's voluntary consensus process produces standards that are practically mandatory—not just that they are referenced by OSHA, but the strategic logic behind it.
Drafting Goal:
Explain that ANSI's accreditation process requires standards to be developed through open, balanced stakeholder participation (manufacturers, users, government, testing bodies). This consensus process is precisely why OSHA and other agencies reference ANSI standards rather than developing their own technical specifications—the standards carry built-in industry credibility. For facility managers, this means following the current ANSI edition (even when OSHA cites an older one) represents a defensible best practice in the event of an incident investigation.
How are ANSI standards developed and structured?
ANSI, as well as ISO, defines a standard this way:
A standard is a document, established by consensus that provides rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results.
What this means is that standards may establish the size, shape, capacity, performance, and other characteristics a product must meet. Even something as simple as a light bulb must be designed according to standards, otherwise you might not be able to even screw a new light bulb into an existing socket. Think about all the different charging cords you have for your various electronic devices. It seems like each brand uses a different connector. Wouldn't it be nice if there were standards so that a charger made for one device would work for any other device that used the same voltage and current?
ANSI standards also provide performance specifications as well as safety standards. Some of the ANSI safety standards include:
- ANSI Standard A14.1 - American National Standards for Ladders - Wood Safety Requirements
- ANSI/ Standard Z359.13 - Personal Energy Absorbers and Energy Absorbing Lanyards
- ANSI Standard A10.13 - Safety Requirements for Steel Erection
- ANSI Standard 105 - Hand Protection Selection Criteria
- ANSI Standard A1264-2 - Provision of Slip Resistance on Walking/Working Surfaces
- ANSI Standard Z10 - Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
What are the three types of ANSI conformity assessments?
ANSI (and ISO) defines an ANSI Standard Conformity Assessment as any activity concerned with determining directly or indirectly that relevant requirements are fulfilled.
Conformity testing ensures a product meets applicable ANSI standards. There are three primary types of assessment:
ANSI Conformity Assessment Types
| Assessment Type |
Who Conducts It |
When It Occurs |
Level of Independence |
Typical Use |
| First-Party |
Manufacturer, supplier, or importer |
During development or production |
Low |
Internal quality control, iterative design |
| Second-Party |
Customer or purchasing organization |
End of production cycle |
Moderate |
Buyer verification of product specs |
| Third-Party |
Independent testing laboratory |
End of production cycle |
High |
Formal certification and public trust |
Which ANSI Standards Apply to Pipe Marking and Facility Labeling?
For EHS managers and facility directors, the most operationally important ANSI standards are those governing how pipes, hazards, and safety information are visually communicated. ANSI/ASME A13.1 defines pipe marking color codes, label sizing, and placement. ANSI Z535 governs the design and color of safety signs and labels. Together, these standards form the foundation of a facility's visual safety communication system.
Third-party assessment provides the highest level of credibility because the evaluating body has no relationship with the manufacturer.
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