Hello Expert,
I have the EPA and non-ESD control required area are mixed in the factory.
May I would to understand about the ESD compliance posters, please see the details below.
These posters are pasted before entering EPA.
(A) This poster is using the “ESD Sensitive” symbol and the text “ESD PROTECTED AREA”.
(B) This poster is using the “ESD Protective” symbol and the text “ESD PROTECTED AREA”.
Could you please advise which poster is correct ESD compliance posters?
Thank you,
Best regards.
Natthawee,
ANSI/ESD S8.1 designates the first symbol with the line through the hand as the “ESD Susceptibility Symbol”. It is to be used on items that are ESD sensitive. It is not to be used on materials for use in the EPA like garments, seating, worksurfaces, etc. It is usually used on a sticker to close packaging that includes items that are ESD sensitive.
The second symbol with the semi-circle around it is called the “ESD Protective Symbol”. It is used to identify items designed to provide ESD protection. I believe this is the symbol you would want to use in your EPA sign. Thanks
Hello Andy,
Thank you for your clarify.
Best Regard,
One additional point is that the purpose of the EPA entrance sign is not only to identify the area but also to clearly communicate that ESD control measures are required before entry. For that reason, many facilities use the ESD Protective Symbol together with instructions such as wrist strap testing, grounding requirements, or EPA entry procedures.
Using the ESD Susceptibility Symbol on an EPA entrance sign could potentially cause confusion, as that symbol is intended to identify ESD-sensitive devices or packaging rather than the protected area itself.
Therefore, for EPA identification, the ESD Protective Symbol is generally the more appropriate choice.
Greetings of the day from India to all the members on this ESD Forum platform and welcome to Mr.Edward Shine to our community 
Yes, it is true that ESD Susceptibility Symbol at an EPA entrance or even inside on the EPA walls as a caution sign is totally wrong as that symbol is intended to identify only ESD-sensitive devices in the packaging systems used but not to indicate the protected area .
Therefore, for EPA identification, the ESD Protective Symbol is the appropriate one .
Before using an EPE or implementing an ESD control program, users should have the basic knowledge of either of the two global ESD standards and the relevant test method standards referred to therein.
Here in India, even those who have been getting the ESD facility certification certificate since years , have been making these types of mistakes and not aware the various standards & test methods and procedure and , overruling the real need of ESD Control Compliance Verification Certification in many aspects. I have been posing this question to ESDA often but every time just the ESD facility certification certificate costing so high based on documentation factor mainly, is given high importance. same case with ISO certifications too everywhere . This kind of facility certifications carry no value when/where not even 60% of the required practical compliance factors are not met.
This I am exposing repeatedly with bitter feeling every now and then as I am witnessing it at almost all places wherever I have gone for EPA CV Audits / Floor test /Footwear-Flooring test to meet the clients requirement per the demand from the ESD facility certifying agencies.
Some of my recent past experience where the customers are going for renewal of their Facility certification, it is observed that still the board " ESD S 20 20 2014 facility Certified " appearing at the entrance of the EPAs as well on the EPA walls and, using lot many insultive objects ( **not PEIs per the standards ) lot many private insulative foot wear on ESD safe floor, lot many insulative accessories covering the ESD safe packaging items like Bins /crates /trays , with insulative wheel trolleys , failed seating or non ESD seating systems , no detailed PQ test report etc with total failure to maintain the compliance in an EPA. But, their facilities are getting ESD facility certifications. I do not know it is only in India or overseas also . All my observations are from MNCs & Govt sectors and not just small one man organizations.
I am an iNARTE Certified ESD Control Engineer, ESDA Certified ECP Auditor and a certified ISO 9001 QMS & ISO /IEC 17025 Auditor too . But, I give prominence to Physical Compliance Verification Certification first and then for the certification just based on documentation . When Compliance ends( Achieved) Quality Starts and maintains its virtue
Thank you
