The 3-A Symbol is a registered mark used to identify equipment that meets 3-A Sanitary Standards for design and fabrication. Use of the mark is governed by 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSI). If you are involved in the fabrication, use, or inspection of equipment that bears the 3-A Symbol, you should be aware of:

• The proper use and display of the 3-A Symbol, and
• The important distinction between 3-A Symbol authorization and other certifications or approvals.

This background information is offered to improve your knowledge in both areas.

3-A SSI maintains a list of all currently licensed 3-A Symbol holders on its web site at www.3-a.org/symbol/holders_list.html. You can easily find the names of companies that hold a 3-A Symbol authorization for a specific type of equipment.

We urge you to contact 3-A SSI if you encounter a company that does not hold a 3-A Symbol authorization, but makes some claim or reference to 3-A Symbol authorization or conformance to 3-A Sanitary Standards.

The authorization to use the 3-A Symbol is subject to specific conditions described in the 3-A SSI License Agreement for Use of the 3-A Symbol. A copy of the complete License Agreement is shown with a copy of the Application and License Agreement for Authorization to Apply the 3-A Sanitary Standards Symbol to Equipment at: www.3-a.org/symbol/forms.html. Use of the 3-A Symbol is strictly voluntary, subject to all provisions of the licensing agreement.

The Third Party Verification (TPV) inspection requirement for use of the 3-A Symbol enhanced the recognition and the value of the 3-A Symbol for equipment fabricators, regulatory sanitarians and processors alike. Now more than ever before, the 3-A Symbol conveys assurance that equipment conforms to the 3-A Sanitary Standard.

3-A SSI encourages authorized 3-A Symbol holders to use the 3-A Symbol in equipment publicity and in promotion, consistent with application and licensing requirements. Here are some important “Do’s” and “Don’ts” concerning the display and use of the 3-A Symbol.

• Reproduce the 3-A Symbol to the dimensional requirements specified in the Application and License Agreement for Authorization to Apply the 3-A Sanitary Standards Symbol to Equipment.

• Reproduce the 3-A Symbol on stainless steel, where possible. If the nature or size of the equipment requires, reduce the size of the 3-A Symbol.
• Show the 3-A Sanitary Standard Number immediately in conjunction with the 3-A Symbol.
• Affix the 3-A Symbol to the equipment in juxtaposition to the nameplate or as part of the nameplate. The 3-A Symbol may be stamped, etched, embossed or welded on the equipment. If welded, continuously weld the nameplate or 3-A Symbol to the equipment. Alternatively, self-adhesive, durable stickers may be used.
• Be sure the display of the 3-A Symbol is compatible with all criteria for hygienic design:

  1. Exposed surfaces must be relatively smooth, relatively free of pockets and crevices, and be cleanable.
  2. Joints must be continuously welded.
  3. If welding is not possible, recessed socket head bolts or rivets must not be used.

• Be sure the surface facilitates cleaning and inspection. The surface must be relatively free of areas where liquids or product residues can accumulate and cannot be cleaned out.
• Use the 3-A Symbol in advertising or promotional information only in conjunction with equipment/machinery for which the 3-A Symbol authorization has been granted. For example, if 3-A Symbol authorization has been granted for Centrifugal and Positive Rotary Pumps (3-A Sanitary Standard #02- ), the holder shall not show the 3-A Symbol or otherwise infer 3-A Symbol authorization for other types of equipment for which it does not hold 3-A Symbol authorization.

• Misrepresent equipment not authorized to display a 3-A Symbol in an advertisement of equipment which is authorized to display the 3-A Symbol.
  
  
• State the company or organization that holds 3-A Symbol authorization; the 3-A Symbol pertains specifically to authorized equipment.
  
  
• State or suggest that the equipment is ‘approved,’ ‘certified’, ‘authorized’, ‘rated’, or ‘endorsed’, by 3-A SSI, or some equivalent claim. 3-A Symbol authorization is granted based on meeting specific license requirements, including a Third Party Verification (TPV) inspection. The TPV program verifies that equipment is designed and manufactured to the appropriate 3-A Sanitary Standard, however, it is not a comprehensive equipment inspection or evaluation program.
  
  
• Make reference to the 3-A Symbol or 3-A Symbol authorization unless your organization maintains a current 3-A Symbol authorization for a given type of equipment/machinery.
  
  
• Use rivets or socket head screws to attach nameplates or 3-A Symbols to equipment.
  
  
• State a link between 3-A Symbol authorization and any other organization. For example, “Meets USDA/3-A criteria” or “Conforms to FDA/USDA/3-A Standards Criteria” are inappropriate.

If you have a specific question concerning the use or display of the 3-A Symbol, contact 3-A SSI.

3-A SSI maintains close working relationships with other organizations that are involved in the evaluation of equipment and the administration of licensed marks. The activities and services of other organizations differ in significant ways from the 3-A Symbol program. This listing is not intended to imply that all of the items manufactured by the listed firms conform to the 3-A Sanitary Standards. Readers of the list are cautioned that a fabricator may manufacture items which do not conform to 3-A criteria.

The listing of equipment in the USDA Dairy Grading Branch Accepted Equipment List is entirely separate and distinct from 3-A Symbol authorization.

It is USDA Dairy Grading Branch policy to fully support the established 3-A Sanitary Standards Programs and to encourage equipment manufacturers, distributors, and the dairy plant and users to participate fully in the development and application of the 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices. Under this process, equipment which fully conforms to the criteria set forth in the applicable 3-A Sanitary Standard or 3-A Accepted Practice is accepted as meeting the requirements of the USDA General Specifications. This equipment listing is not intended to include all equipment which conforms to established 3-A Sanitary Standards or 3-A Accepted Practices. There may be instances, however, when such equipment is included in this listing in order to provide clarification about its use within dairy plants surveyed and approved for USDA grading service.

Equipment which is not covered by established 3-A Sanitary Standards or Accepted Practices will be reviewed by the Dairy Grading Branch utilizing requirements of Section 58.128 of the USDA General Specifications and the USDA Guidelines for the Sanitary Design and Fabrication of Dairy Processing Equipment.

When a manufacturer’s advertising references USDA acceptance, the correct terminology is:

“Model XXX has been reviewed and accepted by the Dairy Grading Branch, USDA for use in dairy plants surveyed and approved for USDA grading service.”

USDA acceptance does not constitute authorization to use the 3-A Symbol.

For more details on the USDA Dairy Grading Branch Accepted Equipment List and equipment review procedure, see www.ams.usda.gov/dairy/dyeqlst.pdf (PDF).

The European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) is a consortium of equipment manufacturers, food industries, research institutes and public health authorities, founded in 1989 with the aim to promote hygiene during the processing and packing of food products. European legislation requires that handling, preparation, processing, packaging, etc. of food is done hygienically, with hygienic machinery in hygienic premises (EC directives 98/37/EC and 93/43/EEC). How to comply with these requirements, however, is left to the industry. To assist in the design of safe and hygienic machinery, the EU has mandated the European federation of standardization institutes, the CEN, to produce standards. The EHEDG, through its published documents, feeds into these standards.

EHEDG may authorize the use of the EHEDG Certification logo for equipment complying with the EHEDG hygienic design criteria. Certification may involve cleanability testing of equipment according to the methodology described in EHEDG Doc 2, “A Method for Assessing the In-place Cleanability of Food Processing Equipment (2000).” Specific organisations are authorised by EHEDG to certify the use of the EHEDG logo.

Details on EHEDG and the certification program are available at: www.ehedg.org.

As an independent, not-for-profit organization, NSF offers programs and services to augment and support the work of regulatory officials around the country, including standards development, product testing and certification, as well as onsite audits and inspections. In addition, NSF offers continuing education and training in many areas of environmental health, including air, water, and food safety. More information on NSF International is available at: www.nsf.org.

3-A SSI has worked with NSF as joint developers of three standards for meat and poultry equipment. The use of the 3-A Symbol is not authorized for equipment under these three standards.

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