Release of ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021

ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 has been released in Dec 2021, to replace its former version of ANSI/ESD S20.20-2014.

What is ANSI/ESD S20.20?

ANSI/ESD S20.20 provides administrative and technical requirements for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an ESD control program.

ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 applies to organizations that manufacture, process, assemble, install, package, label, service, test, inspect, transport, or otherwise handle electrical or electronic parts, assemblies, and equipment susceptible to damage by electrostatic discharges.

What Are the Primary Changes to ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021?

• Definitions were added for ESD control items, insulator, conductor, isolated conductor, and unprotected ESDS item.
• Wording for tailoring was updated.
• Update made to allow qualification for ESD control items that stay on-site to be done at the lowest relative humidity (RH) on the site.
• Qualification records were updated to require including supporting technical reports.
• Explanation was added that the flooring/footwear system cannot use compliance verification data for qualification.
• Note was added to the compliance verification plan that calibration does not imply the equipment can make measurements.
• A statement that compliance verification of the grounding system is not required was added.
• The insulator section was updated with a field measurement of where the ESDS item is handled.
• For isolated conductors, the inclusion of non-contact electrostatic voltmeters and electrostatic field meters were included with a note on measurement issues.
• ANSI/ESD STM4.2 was deleted as a qualification for worksurfaces in Table 3, “EPA ESD Control Items.” This table also added point-to-point requirements to groundable static control garments and groundable static control garment systems.
• Table 4, “Packaging Requirements,” was added. This table summarizes ANSI/ESD S541-2019: Packaging Materials For The Protection Of Electrostatic Discharge Susceptible Items requirements.
• New Section 8.4.1, “United States Department of Defense (DoD) Packaging Requirements,” was added.
• New Informative Annex C, “Tailoring,” was added. New Informative Annex E,” Statement of Direction,” was added.

Transition

• Certification audit against ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 can be started from Jun 2022.
• The organizations certified to ANSI/ESD S20.20-2014 can be transitioned to the new version after a transition audit, typically together with a regular audit.

Supports by DQS

• DQS provides ESDA recognized certifications and audits according to ANSI/ESD S20.20 Standard.
• DQS Academy provides standard understanding and internal auditor training courses to help clients understand the standards.