Interactive Comparison Table
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Global
Brazil
Europe
Australia
Canada
Japan
China
| Aspect | ISO 3864-1:2011 (Global) |
NBR 16820:2020 (Brazil) |
EN ISO 7010:2019 (Europe) |
AS 1319:1994 (Australia) |
CSA Z321:2020 (Canada) |
JIS Z9104:2020 (Japan) |
GB 2894:2008 (China) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | Graphical symbols, safety colours, and design principles for safety signs. Fundamental principles for visual safety communication globally. | Safety signage for workplaces and public areas in Brazil. Comprehensive system aligned with international standards and adapted for Brazilian regulatory requirements. | Registered safety signs for workplaces and public areas. Harmonized symbols for European Union member states. | Safety signs for workplaces. Specifies design and application of safety signs in Australian industrial and commercial environments. | Safety sign systems for Canadian workplaces. Comprehensive approach to visual safety communication. | Safety signs and safety markings for industrial environments in Japan. Aligned with international practices. | Safety signs for workplaces and public spaces in China. National standard aligned with international principles. |
| Sign Categories | Prohibition, Warning, Mandatory Action, Emergency/Safe Condition, Fire Equipment, Supplementary | Proibição (Prohibition), Alerta (Warning), Obrigação (Mandatory), Emergência (Emergency), Informação (Information) | Prohibition, Warning, Mandatory, Emergency/First Aid, Fire Equipment, Supplementary | Prohibition, Warning, Mandatory Action, Emergency/Safe Condition, Fire Equipment | Prohibition, Warning, Mandatory Action, Emergency/Safe Condition, Information | Prohibition, Warning, Instruction, Information, Emergency | Prohibition, Warning, Instruction, Indication, Supplementary Text |
| Shape System | Circle (prohibition/mandatory), Triangle (warning), Square/Rectangle (safe condition/information) | Círculo (prohibition/mandatory), Triângulo (warning), Retângulo/Quadrado (emergency/information). Aligned with ISO principles. | Circle (prohibition/mandatory), Triangle (warning), Square (safe condition/fire equipment) | Circle (prohibition/mandatory), Triangle (warning), Square/Rectangle (safe condition) | Similar to ISO 3864 with some ANSI influences. Flexible approach for Canadian context. | Aligned with ISO system: Circle, Triangle, Square. Adapted for Japanese workplace culture. | Circle (prohibition/mandatory), Triangle (warning), Square (indication/information) |
| Color System | Red (prohibition/fire), Yellow (warning), Blue (mandatory), Green (safe condition) | Vermelho (red - prohibition/fire), Amarelo (yellow - warning), Azul (blue - mandatory), Verde (green - emergency/safe condition) | Red (prohibition/fire), Yellow (warning), Blue (mandatory), Green (safe condition/emergency) | Red (prohibition/fire), Yellow (warning), Blue (mandatory), Green (safe condition) | Red (danger), Orange (warning), Yellow (caution), Blue (mandatory), Green (safe condition) | Red (prohibition/fire), Yellow (warning), Blue (instruction), Green (evacuation/emergency) | Red (prohibition/fire), Yellow (warning), Blue (instruction), Green (indication/safe condition) |
| Symbol Registration | Defines principles, not specific symbols. Framework for symbol development. | Brazilian national symbols with international alignment. ABNT registered symbols for local context. | Over 200 registered symbols. Centralized database with strict design control. | References international symbols with Australian additions. Limited local symbols. | Adopts international symbols with Canadian-specific additions. Bilingual requirements. | Japanese symbols with international alignment. Cultural adaptations for local context. | Chinese national symbols aligned with international principles. Some unique designs. |
| Text Requirements | Text should supplement symbols. No specific language requirements. | Portuguese text required. Symbols with supplementary text. International symbols adapted for Brazilian context. | Symbols preferred over text. Multilingual text allowed as supplement. | Symbols preferred with minimal text. English primary with multilingual capability. | Bilingual English/French required. Text and symbols equally important. | Japanese text with international symbols. Cultural context considerations. | Simplified Chinese text with symbols. Clear character specifications. |
| Size Specifications | Minimum 3mm symbol height per meter viewing distance. Scalable system. | Metric sizing system. Minimum visibility distances based on Brazilian workplace standards. Size categories for different applications. | Minimum viewing distance formula: sign dimension ≥ viewing distance / 100. | Size based on viewing distance. Minimum 150mm for close viewing. | Size requirements based on application. Minimum legibility distances specified. | Metric sizing system. Viewing distance considerations for industrial environments. | Specific size requirements for different applications. Metric-based system. |
| Material Standards | Performance requirements for visibility, durability, and weather resistance. | Brazilian material standards. Tropical climate resistance and humidity considerations. ABNT quality requirements. | EU material requirements. CE marking compliance for commercial products. | Australian environmental conditions. UV resistance and weathering requirements. | Canadian environmental standards. Cold weather and UV resistance. | Japanese quality standards. Seismic and environmental considerations. | Chinese manufacturing standards. Specific material quality requirements. |
| Photoluminescence | Referenced in supporting standards. Basic luminance requirements. | NBR standards for photoluminescent properties. Emergency evacuation requirements for Brazilian buildings. | EN ISO 3864-4 and EN ISO 17398 for photoluminescent properties. | References AS 2293 for emergency lighting and photoluminescent systems. | CAN/ULC standards for photoluminescent emergency signs. | JIS standards for photoluminescent properties. Emergency evacuation focus. | GB standards for luminous signs. Specific brightness requirements. |
| Compliance/Legal Status | International guidance standard. Adopted by many national regulations. | Brazilian national standard. Referenced in NR (Normas Regulamentadoras) workplace safety regulations. | Harmonized EU standard. Mandatory in many European workplace regulations. | Referenced in Australian WHS regulations. Mandatory for workplace safety. | Referenced in Canadian OHS regulations. Provincial adoption varies. | Japanese Industrial Standard. Referenced in occupational safety laws. | Mandatory Chinese national standard. Required for workplace compliance. |
| Latest Update | 2011 (Part 1), ongoing revisions for other parts | 2020, aligned with modern international practices and Brazilian regulatory updates | 2019, with annual symbol additions | 1994, reconfirmed 2015, revision in progress | 2020, major update with enhanced requirements | 2020, updated for modern workplace requirements | 2008, revision planned for 2025 |