FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Washington,DC – February 13, 2026 – 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc.(3-A SSI) today released an updated version of its General Requirements Standard (00-02), the foundation for hygienic equipment design in the food and beverage industry. The third edition brings clarity to critical design requirements while accommodating modern manufacturing technologies.
"This update makes the Standard easier to use while maintaining the rigorous food safety demands," says Meri Beth Wojtaszek, 3-A Executive Director. "We've removed ambiguity in key areas and opened the door for advanced fabrication methods--all without compromising hygienic performance."
THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS STANDARD
The General Requirements Standard (GR) sets the baseline for hygienic equipment design across the food and beverage industry. It defines acceptable materials, construction methods, and design principles for equipment that processes everything from milk to beverages to food ingredients.
Whether you're building equipment, specifying systems, or inspecting facilities, the GR is your reference point. More than 80 additional 3-A Standards build on this foundation for specific equipment types.
WHAT'S NEW: FIVE KEY CHANGES
1. CLEARER SEAL REQUIREMENTS
- Mechanical force seals now have specific validation requirements
- Manufacturers must provide replacement procedures or replacement assemblies
- Surfaces behind seals must be easily cleaned and inspected when gaskets are removed
- IMPACT: Reduces contamination risk during maintenance and ensures long-term integrity
2. STRICTER CIP GASKET JOINTS
- Flat gaskets in clean-in-place systems must create "substantially flush" surfaces (offset <= 1/32 inch)
- Exception: When a gasket is thinner than 1/32 inch, offset cannot exceed gasket thickness
- IMPACT: Eliminates hiding places for bacteria in automated cleaning systems
3. MANDATORY LEAK DETECTION
- Equipment with double seals must have visible leak detection paths
- Pathways must be open to atmosphere, at the lowest point, and >= 1/8 inch diameter
- IMPACT: Hidden contamination becomes visible contamination you can act on
4. MODERN TEST METHODS ACCEPTED
- Explicitly recognizes EHEDG Guideline 2 and ASTM E165 for verifying joint integrity
- IMPACT: Manufacturers have clear, internationally recognized testing protocols
5. UPDATED DEFINITIONS
- New: Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), Mechanical Force Seal
- Refined: 20+ existing definitions for clarity
- IMPACT: Emerging technologies can be used while meeting hygienic Standards
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR STAKEHOLDERS
Equipment Manufacturers:
- More design flexibility with mechanical force seals as an alternative to welding or traditional gaskets
- Clear guidance on which materials and methods are permitted – 20 specific allowance provisions reference equipment-specific Standards
- Support for advanced fabrication technologies including 3D printing
- Reduced interpretation disputes with clear validation requirements
Food & Beverage Processors:
- Stronger assurance of equipment hygiene, especially in sealing and cleaning systems
- Visual verification of seal integrity through required leak detection paths
- Easier maintenance with mandatory cleanability and inspectability requirements
- Clear responsibility: processors validate, manufacturers verify seal integrity
Inspectors & Sanitarians:
- Less ambiguity in inspection criteria
- Objective Standards for verification and validation
- Clearer definitions reduce subjective interpretation
- Standardized approach to evaluating modern fabrication methods
GET THE UPDATED STANDARD
The updated 3-A Sanitary Standard for General Requirements (00-02) is available now through the 3-A online store.
For equipment currently authorized to display the 3-A Symbol, the Symbol holder should contact 3-A SSI regarding transition requirements.
ABOUT 3-A SANITARY STANDARDS, INC.
3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSI) is a nonprofit organization that develops and maintains Standards for the design and fabrication of equipment and systems used to process food and beverage products in a sanitary manner. The mission of 3-A SSI is to enhance product safety for consumers around the world by developing Standards and education materials that promote hygienic equipment design and practices. For more information, visit https://www.3-a.org/.
