Standard for Protection: Why ANSI, ISO Frameworks are Essential for Top-Quality PPE

In the demanding field of occupational safety, protecting workers requires more than just offering equipment; it demands equipment that is reliably tested and proven to perform under hazardous conditions. This foundational requirement is met through the rigorous application of national and international standards, chiefly those coordinated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These frameworks eliminate guesswork and ensure that products meet objective, agreed-upon performance criteria, thereby driving the safety and effectiveness of all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

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Defining the framework: ANSI and ISO

Standards serve as an agreed-upon way of doing something. For the PPE industry, standards ensure that the equipment is designed to keep workers safe, meeting an adopted minimum standard and performance level.

ANSI: The U.S. standards coordinator

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1918. ANSI oversees and sets U.S. standards, conformity, and norms for products in nearly every sector nationwide. Crucially, ANSI does not create or enforce standards; rather, it coordinates the work of various organizations, known as standards developing organizations (SDOs)—such as the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA)—which are responsible for writing national standards. OSHA often enforces compliance with regulations that incorporate ANSI standards.

The standards developed under ANSI's oversight provide critical functions:

• They establish and specify levels of performance based on universal testing methods.
• They provide a common language for all parties involved in bringing a product to market.
• They verify a product's suitability in different working environments.
• They clearly identify requirements that can be used for government regulation.

ISO: The global benchmark for quality

ANSI has developed partnerships with global organizations, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), enabling the promotion of U.S. safety standards internationally. ISO standards are vital for setting global quality benchmarks, particularly in the realm of laboratory competence.

A highly important ISO standard for the PPE industry is ISO/IEC 17025. This international standard sets the general requirements for the technical competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Accreditation to this standard is essential because it assures purchasers that the laboratory has demonstrated it can produce precise, reliable, and accurate test data.

Why standards are the driving force behind PPE excellence

ANSI standards play a critical role in the development and purchasing of PPE because they drive the decision-making process for safety managers. Workers require assurance that a protective device works, knowing it meets specific performance requirements, rather than relying solely on a company's claims.

Before standards are adopted, confusion can arise. For example, before the ANSI/ISEA 138 Impact Standard was published, there was little guidance on the protection offered by different back-of-hand impact materials, leading to increased confusion among companies and workers. Now, thanks to the ANSI standard, wearers can confidently select gloves rated on a defined impact-protection scale.

Specific ANSI standards dictate the required performance levels across various PPE categories:

• Hand Protection (Gloves): The ANSI/ISEA 105:24 standard governs resistance to abrasion, puncture, tear, and cut. Cut resistance is rated on a nine-level scale from zero to 6,000 grams, using the TDM (tomodynamometer) test method. For impact protection, ANSI/ISEA 138 establishes minimum performance, classification, and labeling requirements, including three clearly defined performance levels (1–3).
• Eye and Face Protection: The ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020 standard establishes the necessary performance criteria and testing requirements for devices designed to protect the eyes and face from potential injuries.
• High-Visibility Garments: Compliance with ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 requires that background material and retroreflective material be tested by an accredited laboratory, and the manufacturer must verify that the garment meets all standard requirements.

The necessity of verified testing (ISO/IEC 17025)

A crucial aspect of safety standards is verification. While any company can stamp a high cut-resistance score on a glove, there is no government oversight for these performance claims, meaning it is ultimately up to the purchaser to determine testing accuracy. Misinformation regarding performance levels (e.g., claiming an A7 cut level when the product is only an A4) can result in serious injuries or even fatalities.

This need for assurance makes ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation essential. For example, the ANSI/ISEA 138 impact standard specifically requires products to be tested in a laboratory that holds a certificate of accreditation meeting ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements.

A laboratory that achieves ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation demonstrates technical competence and capability to produce precise, reliable, and accurate test data. By ensuring testing is performed under this international standard, customers gain confidence that the performance score marked on a product (such as an A4 cut level) is scientifically proven to keep the wearer safe. This practice counters the risk of competitors falsely claiming high protection scores without supporting data.

Standards establish the minimum performance, classification, and labeling requirements for PPE. By partnering with industry associations and committing to the precise testing methods required by ANSI and ISO, manufacturers and suppliers ensure that workers are equipped with gear that meets these minimum safety requirements and is built to withstand hazardous conditions in modern, technological environments.

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MCR Safety is a leading Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provider with over 50 years of experience in creating top-quality work gloves, safety glasses, safety goggles, face shields, safety clothing, chemical protection, and more.