Using the 3-A SSI Web Site

This information is intended to provide a very general orientation to the 3-A SSI web site and help you find what you are looking for.

Site Navigation
You can return to the Home Page at any time by clicking on the 3-A Symbol at the top left of each page. You can also return to the last page viewed by clicking on your browser’s “Back” button.
Click the "End of Page" button to jump to the lower navigation bar.

Purchase Sanitary Standards and Accepted Practices
This section has all of the information you need to purchase the current documents available from 3-A SSI, including 3-A Sanitary Standards, 3-A Accepted Practices, and E 3-A Standards. Scroll down to the bottom of this page where you see the 3-A Symbol and click on the information of interest. You may download a current index of documents to use for future reference. If your organization needs frequent access to 3-A SSI documents, check out details on the 3-A Standards Subscription, see the link under ‘Industry Essentials’.

About 3-A SSI
‘3-A’ documents have a long history of use and recognition, but the 3-A SSI organization is young. Here you can learn about the origin of 3-A SSI, the mission and the leadership of this independent, non-profit organization.

News & Events
Here you will find recent press releases and important information on upcoming 3-A SSI events. You will also find archives of past announcements here and reports from previous meetings.

Third Party Verification for the 3-A Symbol and
3-A Process Certification
Introduced in 1956, 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 3-A Symbol is governed by 3-A SSI.
This section provides information on how you can obtain a license to use and display the 3-A Symbol, including application forms for a new 3-A Symbol, renewal or amendment.

A Third Party Verification (TPV) inspection is required for use of the 3-A Symbol. This section includes a good overview of this requirement. You can also download the complete TPV Manual and a list of the independent, credentialed inspection professionals known as Certified Conformance Evaluators (CCEs).

In 2007, the TPV inspection program was expanded to encompass most 3-A Accepted Practices. The 3-A Process Certification is available to owners of processing systems who desire to show proof of an independent inspection/verification of a processing system.

A current list of 3-A Symbol holders is available, as well as a list of discontinued 3-A Symbol authorizations. 3-A SSI also makes available a list of current holders of 3-A Process Certification.

Replacement Part Qualification Certificate Program
3-A SSI offers a voluntary Replacement Part Qualification Certificate (RPQC) Program. To participate, a replacement part manufacturer must apply to 3-A SSI for a RPQC, which they may use in sales or marketing information.

This section has information on the provisions of the RPQC Program, the application form, and a list of the current certificate holders.

3-A Sanitary Standards & Committees
How are 3-A SSI documents created and maintained? What are the procedures for consensus? What is the status of documents under review? Here is where you can get these details and more. You can find rosters for the main committee, the 3-A Steering Committee, and the Working Groups of subject experts responsible for specific documents. Forms are also available here if you would like to suggest a new or revised standard, or if you would like to volunteer on a Working Group.

Pharmaceutical 3-A Standards
3-A SSI supports the development of new standards for equipment used in the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). This section describes the industry mission, how the work is coordinated, and the current work in progress.

3-A SSI Sustaining Partnership
3-A SSI welcomes voluntary support to expand the knowledge resources of 3-A SSI. This section describes the benefits of the Sustaining Partnership.

Standards Actions and Public Review Drafts
In this section you can find important public announcements about public review drafts open for comment, call for participants for specific activities, interpretations, publications announcements, and other information related to 3-A SSI standards and standards related activities.

Technical Resource Center
This is the newest and one of the most important sections of the entire 3-A SSI web site. Whether you are searching for basic information about 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices or more in-depth knowledge on specific subjects, this is your place to start.
This Center contains several sections, including authoritative Resource Papers on key topics, Links to other key resources on sanitary design, a Question and Answer Forum and Sponsored Links. This Resource Center will constantly change and grow, so be sure to check back often. We welcome your comments and suggestions on additional links that may benefit our visitors or ideas for other topics/issues we should add to our monographs.

We Welcome Your Comments
There is a lot of information on this site but it shouldn’t overwhelm you. If you see something you like, or you have trouble finding something you need, or you'd just like to make a general comment about the site, please contact us at 703.790.0295. It will help us make the site better the next time you visit.