ANSI Z535.4-2011 (R2017)

The design of safety signs for products has been influenced for many years by standards originallydeveloped for accident prevention signs to be used in the general environment. As product safety signsevolved, some basic differences developed between their characteristics and those of environmentalsafety signs: Environmental safety signs are usually larger, observed at longer distances, and frequentlycontain lesser amounts of information for visual clarity at a distance. Product safety signs are likely tocontain more information within a smaller format, are usually observed at closer distances, and mustphysically and visually integrate with a wide range of product size, shape, and color characteristics.Attempts by product manufacturers to address these variable characteristics have produced numerousapproaches to the graphic treatment of such signs.This standard sets forth a hazard communication system developed specifically for product safety signs and labels. It consolidates a number of previous graphic approaches into a common design directioncarefully selected to present product hazard information in an orderly and visually consistent manner foreffective communication.The ANSI Z535.4 standard developed for Product Safety Signs and Labels complements the ANSIZ535.2 standard developed for Environmental and Facility Safety Signs. These standards are similar inmany respects. However, they each address different physical and visual requirements as noted above.As a result, the Accredited Standards Committee Z535 has recognized and affirmed the need for thesetwo separate standards.ANSI Z535.4-2011 (R2017) sets forth performance requirements for the design, application, use, and placement ofsafety signs and labels intended to identify potential hazards for persons using, operating, servicing, or inproximity to, a wide variety of products.