2009 Annual Report (PDF) - 3-A Sanitary Standards

3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc.
2009 Annual Report
R
The Symbol of Assurance

3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc.
Board of Directors
Officers
Dan Meyer, Chair
American Dairy Products Institute
Allen Sayler, Vice Chair
International Dairy Foods Association
Lou Beaudette, Treasurer
Admix, Inc.
Ronald Schmidt , Secretary
University of Florida
Directors
Ken Anderson
Harold Wainess & Associates, Inc.
Lee Blakely
Saputo Cheese & Protein LLC
Warren S. Clark, Jr.
3-A Symbol Administrative Council, Inc.
Larry Hanson
Johnsonville Sausage, LLC
Robert Hennes
Chief, FDA/CFSAN-Milk Safety Branch
David Jamison
USDA/AMS, Dairy Grading
Gregory Marconnet
Kraft Foods
George Melnykovich
Food Processing Suppliers Association
F. Tracy Schonrock
3-A Steering Committee
Paul Gold, Pfizer Inc.
P3-A Steering Committee
Counsel
Hugh Webster
Webster, Chamberlain & Bean
Committee Leadership
Communications & Education Committee
Larry Hanson, Johnsonville Sausage, LLC
Finance Committee
Lou Beaudette, Admix, Inc.
Third Party Verification Coordinating Committee
Allen Sayler, IDFA
Interpretations Committee
Randy Elsberry, FDA Regional Dairy Specialist
Office of Regulatory Affairs, Pacific Region
3-A Steering Committee
F. Tracy Schonrock
Sanitary Design Integrity You Can Trust
During the past year, the 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. Board of Directors
commissioned two companion surveys as part of a larger project to develop
and implement an effective marketing strategy for growing the ‘3-A brand’ now
and in the future. This voice of the customer research assessed the perceived
‘value of 3-A’ first from those more heavily involved in the commercial aspects
of 3-A, equipment manufacturers and end-users, and second, from those in
the sanitarian and regulatory community.
Based upon the findings of this research, 3-A SSI is concentrating on turning
this 3-A value research into action. This report shows just a few of the new
products and other highlights of a very productive year for 3-A SSI.
Communicating the brand value of 3-A is central to the mission of 3-A SSI.
However, the ‘core value’ of 3-A SSI and the 3-A Symbol program should
never waiver from the perception shared among our stakeholder groups - 3-A
is the Symbol of assurance for sanitary design integrity you can trust.
A concerned consumer public, regulatory professionals, processors and
equipment fabricators alike are focusing more attention on the entire food
safety chain and new ways to protect public health. In particular, the role of
voluntary third party certification programs based on proven standards and
practices will receive wider consideration and demand in the coming years.
The recent history of 3-A SSI reflects a strong commitment to public and
private cooperation to protect the public health. We hope to strengthen this
relationship in the coming period, enhance the integrity of the 3-A SSI
standards we develop, and broaden recognition of the voluntary 3-A Symbol
program.
Our Mission
It is the mission of 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. to
enhance product safety for consumers of food,
beverages, and pharmaceutical products through the
development and use of 3-A Sanitary Standards and
3-A Accepted Practices.
The mission objectives of 3-A SSI include:
• Develop, maintain and publish uniform standards and practices for the
sanitary (hygienic) design, fabrication, installation and operation of
equipment and machinery.
• Use state-of-the-art, science-based expertise for the development of
sanitary standards and accepted practices.
• Harmonize with global standards and guidelines as appropriate.
• Promote the use of 3-A Sanitary Standards, 3-A Accepted Practices,
and the 3-A Symbol.
• Authorize use and maintain the integrity of the 3-A Symbol.
• Maintain a uniform system to regulate and enforce proper use of the
3-A Symbol to best enhance consumer product safety.
• Provide education concerning sanitary design principles, application of
3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices, and use of the
3-A Symbol.
P3-A Steering Committee
Paul Gold, Pfizer Inc.
3-A SSI Staff
Timothy R. Rugh, CAE, Executive Director
Nate Wall, Director, Standards and Certification
Philomena Short, Technical Assistant

3-A Symbol Program Builds on Success
This year 3-A SSI entered the second phase of a vital Third
Party Verification (TPV) inspection program designed to
maintain the highest level of confidence in equipment
displaying the 3-A Symbol. Since the TPV program was
initiated in 2003 as a requirement for maintaining
authorization to use the 3-A Symbol, more than 520
inspections have been completed at fabrication facilities in
the U.S. and 22 other countries around the world to verify
the equipment conforms to 3-A Sanitary Standards. The
TPV program has helped raise the 3-A Symbol program to
a new level of integrity and recognition for everyone
concerned with the safety of consumers of food, beverages
and pharmaceutical products, fulfilling one of the primary
mission objectives of 3-A SSI.
3-A SSI requires all 3-A Symbol
holders to obtain a re-inspection of
licensed equipment at least once
every five years, or whenever there is
a significant change in materials or
production processes. The TPV
requirement applies to all equipment
built to 3-A Sanitary Standards that is licensed to display
the 3-A Symbol. A licensee must engage a credentialed
inspection professional, a Certified Conformance Evaluator
(CCE), to conduct an on-site evaluation of finished
equipment and other product attributes to affirm the
equipment conforms to provisions of the applicable 3-A
Sanitary Standard. Any deficiencies discovered in an
inspection must be corrected before the equipment can be
authorized to display the 3-A Symbol. Equipment
manufacturers that do not comply with the TPV inspection
requirement risk losing the authorization to use the 3-A
Symbol.
Since the TPV program was implemented, inspections have
been completed for equipment fabricated in the U.S. and
countries around the world, including Austria, Belgium,
Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, England, Finland, France,
Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands,
New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and
Thailand.
3-A SSI maintains a registry of current 3-A Symbol holders
on the 3-A SSI web site to increase recognition of current
authorized 3-A Symbol holders. The public information
assists regulatory sanitarians, processors, equipment
fabricators, and other interested parties. The public list is
organized by equipment type to show the names of
fabricators that conform to 3-A Sanitary Standards for dairy
and food processing equipment and meet provisions of the
3-A Symbol authorization program.
Along with the list of current 3-A Symbol licensees, 3-A SSI
maintains a separate list of discontinued 3-A Symbol
holders. This information shows the reason for
discontinuation, such as the equipment is no longer in
production, the equipment was consolidated in another 3-A
Symbol authorization resulting from a change in company
ownership, or the failure of the holder to maintain the
authorization in accordance with the terms and conditions
for use of the 3-A Symbol.
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. Voluntary use of the
3-A Symbol on dairy and food equipment assures
processors that equipment meets sanitary standards,
provides accepted criteria to equipment manufacturers for
sanitary design, and establishes guidelines for uniform
evaluation and compliance by sanitarians. Use of the 3-A
Symbol was based on a system of self-certification until the
new TPV inspection requirement was instituted.
New Marketing Tools for 3-A Symbol Holders
New marketing resources were introduced this year to
promote more concise and consistent information on the
true benefits of the 3-A Symbol and the mission of 3-A SSI.
The new products were developed from the key findings of
market research conducted last year on many dimensions
of the ‘value of 3-A’ for key stakeholders.
The research identified a range of major perceived benefits
of 3-A Symbol authorization in the marketplace.
• The 3-A Symbol promotes acceptance of equipment.
More customers want to know “Does it meet 3-A?” or
“Where’s the 3-A Symbol?”
• The 3-A Symbol conveys confidence and trust in
equipment. When customers see the 3-A Symbol on
equipment or in related product information, they know
the equipment has been verified by an objective,
independent third-party professional and has
successfully met the requirements of a 3-A Sanitary
Standard.
• The 3-A Symbol promotes effective product marketing.
One of the most important objectives for any company
offering equipment for food contact is to communicate
sanitary design quickly and effectively. Display of the
3-A Symbol communicates a vital message.
• The 3-A Symbol gives equipment added exposure.
The on-line listing of authorized 3-A Symbol holders
maintained by 3-A SSI gives equipment important
visibility and recognition.
• The 3-A Symbol reduces marketing costs. Integrity and
customer confidence come faster with independent
verification, helping to extend company marketing
dollars.
• The 3-A Symbol helps drive sales when effectively
deployed in marketing, advertising, and displaying your
equipment.
• The 3-A Symbol conveys integrity and trust.
The research findings led to the introduction of a new
‘toolkit’ of print samples offered via the 3-A SSI web site at
no cost for 3-A Symbol holders to customize and use to
promote 3-A Symbol authorization for authorized
equipment.

A new 3-A Symbol placard was
designed for use in conjunction with
a trade show exhibit or show room
display of equipment that is properly
licensed to use the 3-A Symbol. The
self-standing display is sized to show
on a small countertop area in a show
room or trade show.
A promotional card can
be used to help market
equipment that is
properly licensed to use
the 3-A Symbol. The
promotional card
includes general
information about the
advantages of 3-A Symbol authorization on one side. The
other side of the card may be customized to provide
information on the specific equipment that maintains 3-A
Symbol authorization.
A three-panel pamphlet
presents a more detailed
list of 3-A Symbol
benefits to help market
equipment that is
properly licensed to use
the 3-A Symbol. This
pamphlet is particularly
helpful for communicating with audiences who may be less
familiar with the ‘3A advantage’.
3-A SSI also
incorporated the new
marketing messages in
a new exhibit booth
and customized
graphics. The display
was first used at the
recent IAFP
Convention in
Columbus in early
August. Custom graphics and messages also allow
3-A SSI to orient the exhibit to specific show audiences as
needed with companion print materials.
The research yielded other insights on the dimensions of
‘3-A value’ from the perspective of various stakeholder
groups.
• Processors Value 3-A - Users of dairy processing
equipment know they are in compliance with all
applicable sanitation codes because enforcement
authorities helped develop each 3-A Sanitary
Standard. They know their equipment can be cleaned
satisfactorily and can anticipate that inspections will go
more smoothly when equipment complies with
standards that regulatory sanitarians helped formulate.
• Leading fabricators, processors and regulatory
sanitarians participate in 3-A because of the focus
on sanitary design criteria.
• You can specify and purchase safer equipment
when it conforms to the sanitary design criteria of
3-A Sanitary Standards.
• Regulatory sanitarians support the 3-A program is
because the standards and practices are written to
conform to regulatory requirements and guidelines.
• Buyers and sellers rely on 3-A because it signifies
equipment that’s easier to clean, inspect, and
maintain.
• Regulatory Sanitarians Value 3-A - Regulatory
sanitarians benefit through these guidelines for uniform
evaluation and compliance too. They have assurance
that the equipment was designed and manufactured to
a precise set of standards and know that the particular
standard being met was developed in collaboration with
their professional colleagues.
• 3-A Sanitary Standards embody decades of
expert knowledge about sanitary equipment design
from inspection authorities and others.
• 3-A Sanitary Standards streamline the equipment
inspection process and help ensure the safety of
food.
• The 3-A Symbol signifies equipment is
compatible with regulatory requirements and
guidelines.
• Equipment Manufacturers Value 3-A - Equipment
fabricators see broad acceptance of their products
across the country because the 3-A Symbol receives
approval by virtually all sanitarians and regulatory
officials. Each standard details the sanitary aspects of
materials, design and fabrication so the equipment will
meet the requirements for acceptance by processors
and sanitarians. And standards reduce the cost of
dies, tools and intended delivery time that would result
without uniform criteria.
• Leading fabricators, processors and regulatory
sanitarians participate in 3-A because of the focus
on sanitary design criteria.
• You can build and offer safer equipment when it
conforms to the sanitary design criteria of 3-A
Sanitary Standards.
• Regulatory sanitarians support the 3-A program
because the standards and practices are written to
conform to regulatory requirements and guidelines.
• Manufacturers rely on 3-A because it signifies
equipment that’s easier to clean, inspect, and
maintain.
Volunt ary Third Party Inspections Build New
Confidence
3-A SSI expanded recognition and acceptance of two
valuable additions to its voluntary TPV inspection services
this year, a voluntary inspection program for replacement
parts and a program for processing systems covered by
most of the 3-A Accepted Practices. The voluntary
inspection programs are intended to bring new confidence
to all stakeholders concerned about the design and the
support of equipment built to 3-A Sanitary Standards and
processing systems.
Intended for parts suppliers, the Replacement Part
Qualification Certificate
shows that listed parts have been

eviewed by an independent equipment expert and conform
to criteria of the 3-A Sanitary Standard. The 3-A Process
Certificate is a program for processors to obtain confidence
that a processing system has been evaluated and verified
by an independent systems expert. The added assurance
of this independent inspection helps processors distinguish
their processing operations for the benefit of current
customers, or for new retail and wholesale customers.
participated, including equipment fabricators, regulatory
sanitarians and processors. Participant feedback showed
the presentations received uniformly high marks for
professional content and quality.
First Volunteer Service Awards Announced
3-A SSI recognizes the extraordinary dedication and
commitment of individuals who contribute to the
development of voluntary standards and the mission of
3-A SSI. The annual Volunteer Service Awards program
was introduced in 2008 to recognize the outstanding
service of these individuals. Nominations for the awards
are made by fellow volunteers among the three stakeholder
groups in 3-A SSI.
Mr. Richard K. Smith (Richard K. Smith, Inc.) received the
2008 Leadership Service Award for a record of significant
contribution to 3-A SSI voluntary standards development
and outstanding service in enabling 3-A SSI to attain its
objectives.
Mr. Dennis Glick (U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Agricultural Marketing Service, Dairy Grading Branch)
received the 2008 Advancement Award for outstanding
accomplishments on behalf of 3-A SSI.
3-A SSI Expands Role in Industry Education
The program featured expert presentations on key topics in
hygienic equipment design, including:
• Meeting the Challenge of Hygienic Integration - Andrew
Timperley (Timperley Consulting)
• Design Challenges in Emerging Markets - Joe Smucker
(Smucker Associates)
• Design for Cleanability - Gabe Miller (Sani-Matic, Inc.)
• Allergen Control - Jacques Rouillard (JohnsonDiversey,
N.A.)
• Lean Alloy Alternatives for 300 Series Stainless Steels
- Rick Jerzyk and Cheryl Botti (ATI Allegheny Ludlum)
and Carl Kettermann (Rath Gibson)
• Mechanical Seals for Food Processing - Henri Azibert
(A.W. Chesterton)
• High Tech Detection Methods: Non-invasive Inspection
of Heat Exchangers - Tom Werner (Accusense
Systems Ltd.)
• High Tech Detection Methods: Hygiene Detection
Using ATP Bioluminescence Measurements - Virginia
Deibel, Ph.D. (TRAC Microbiology)
3-A SSI expanded its role as a valued education resource
this year with the addition of a new training program on
Pharmaceutical (P3-A) Standards in conjunction with other
education offerings at the 3-A SSI Annual Meeting in
Milwaukee.
The first-ever Pharmaceutical 3-A (P3-A) education
program attracted representatives from across the industry,
including equipment fabricators, pharmaceutical
manufacturing representatives, and others. The primary
purpose of the program was to provide a general
introduction to 3-A SSI’s scope of interest, the industry
desire for new equipment standards, and an overview of the
first new P3-A candidate American National Standards.
Education on the principles of sanitary design and subjects
related to the application of 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A
Accepted Practices represents a priority mission objective
of 3-A SSI. The yearly program and other 3-A SSI
resources have enhanced the specialized knowledge of all
stakeholders on sanitary design principles and contributed
to the effectiveness of the 3-A SSI consensus process.
3-A SSI Advances Professionalism of
Inspection Program
This year’s general industry education program, A New
World of Sanitary Design, program focused on key issues
and challenges in today’s hygienic design environment.
Representatives from across the U.S. and Europe
3-A SSI maintained its
commitment to building
knowledge and expertise among
its accredited Certified
Conformance Evaluators (CCEs)
throughout a very active year.

CCEs are independent equipment inspection professionals
accredited by 3-A SSI to verify the conformance of
equipment to 3-A Sanitary Standards in the TPV inspection
program.
The TPV Coordinating
Committee, consisting of
regulatory sanitarians,
fabricator and processor
representatives, supervised
a special training seminar
for CCEs. Seminar
participation is required for
maintenance of CCE
accreditation. The
Committee coordinated a series of phone conferences
throughout the year to exchange information on the
application of 3-A Sanitary Standards and other hygienic
design issues relating to the performance of TPV
inspections. The Committee also published several
bulletins to provide guidance on consistent and uniform
CCE inspection services. The new bulletins are available
on the 3-A SSI web site.
3-A SSI Consensus Development
• Approximately 35 letter ballots were completed.
• There currently are 72 active standards
development and revision proposals.
3-A SSI maintains accreditation by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) as a Standards Developer
Organization. ANSI accreditation signifies the new
procedures meet the Institute’s Essential Requirements for
openness, balance, consensus and due process. Formal
accreditation provides the opportunity for 3-A SSI to submit
new standards developed in accordance with ANSI
requirements as American National Standards.
3-A SSI Reaches New Audiences
3-A SSI relies on a community of dedicated subject matter
experts from all interest groups to participate in the
consensus process for developing and maintaining a large
inventory of essential 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A
Accepted Practices. At the direction of the 3-A Steering
Committee, 13 Working Groups (WGs) coordinate the
drafting of new or revised documents within particular
groups of related equipment. All 13 WGs mobilized this
year to revise current documents, create new standards, or
in some cases, withdraw a document. Collectively, the
WGs devoted hundreds of hours of discussion via phone
conferences and meetings.
Among the key accomplishments this year:
• The Format & Style Manual, Version 00-03 was
developed and is pending Board approval.
• The following standard revisions were published:
19-07 (Ice Cream Freezers), 28-04 (Flow Meters),
31-05 (Scraped Surface Heat Exchangers), 35-03
(Blending Equipment), 53-06 (Compression Type
Valves).
• Quarterly WG conference calls were continued to
support the effectiveness and efficiency of leaders
and participants in the consensus development
process.
3-A SSI reached out to many diverse audiences in the U.S.
this year, including current 3-A Symbol holders and many
potential new ‘customers’. In late July, 3-A SSI met at the
U.S. Department of Commerce with a delegation of senior
level executives from the Eurasian dairy processing and
packaging industry, including specialists from Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic,
Tajikistan and Turkmenistan and Ukraine. These delegates
from the dairy processing and packaging industries are
screened and selected by the U.S. Department of
Commerce.
The delegates
met with U.S.
government
representatives,
leading U.S.
companies,
cooperatives,
industry
associations, and
equipment
manufacturers
during the month-long tour. 3-A SSI presented
an overview
of the history of 3-A SSI, the 3-A Symbol and TPV program,
and the criteria that distinguish 3-A Sanitary Standards from
all other types of equipment standards. 3-A SSI
emphasized the important role of the 3-A S ymbol and 3-A
Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices in the
advancement of regulatory inspections in the U.S. The use
of 3-A Sanitary Standards in sanitary applications other
than dairy processing was also emphasized.
3-A SSI presented a comprehensive education session at
the FDA 2008 Southeast Region Milk Seminar on October 7
in Pensacola Beach, Florida. The major part of the session
was dedicated to a sample evaluation of equipment led by

Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE) Dan Erickson to
give attendees more familiarity with the TPV inspection
program for 3-A Symbol authorization.
Participation in these
and other industry
events provides
important exposure
to many top industry,
academic and
government food
safety professionals
from across the U.S.
and around the
world. 3-A SSI
gains from the opportunity to orient key
audiences to the
3-A Symbol program and the value of 3-A Sanitary
Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices. 3-A SSI also
benefits from introducing the advantages of sanitary design
standards and a third party oversight program to
representatives in industries that may have future needs.
ANSI Approves Third New P3-A Standard
The ANSI Board of Standards Review announced final
approval of ANSI/3-A P3-A 003-2008 Pharmaceutical 3-A®
End Suction Centrifugal Pumps for Active Pharmaceutical
Ingredients in August. Two other key reference documents,
for materials and terminology, received final ANSI approval
earlier in the year.
The new P3-A standards will bring assurance to
pharmaceutical equipment buyers, equipment fabricators
and regulatory authorities that equipment meets specific
criteria for the intended use of the equipment. The new
standards have been under development since 2004.
Task groups continue to work on four other new projects.
Representatives of major pharmaceutical manufacturers,
fabricators, engineering service providers, and others are
cooperating in the work.
New P3-A Symbol Mark Introduced
The Pharmaceutical 3-A (P3-A) Council of 3-A SSI
announced the introduction of a new P3-A Symbol for use
in conjunction with the marketing of equipment and
machinery that meets the requirements of published P3-A
Standards. The new registered mark combines the
established and respected 3-A Symbol with the stylized ‘P’
to indicate conformance to a P3-A Standard.
The P3-A Symbol was designed for
voluntary display on equipment or
machinery that conforms to a P3-A
Standard. Use of the P3-A Symbol is
subject to the general licensing
provisions of 3-A SSI, including the
inspection of sample equipment by a
Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE). A prospective
licensee must submit a report of conformance for specific
names/models of equipment to obtain authorization to
display the mark. The third party verification inspection
requirement for use of the P3-A Symbol enhances the
recognition and the value of the P3-A Symbol for equipment
fabricators, regulat ory professionals and processors alike.
The commercial display of the P3-A Symbol is intended to
benefit equipment fabricators and customers:
• Equipment fabricators gain broad acceptance of their
products because the P3-A Symbol conveys the
equipment conforms to materials, design and
fabrication criteria critical to acceptance by customers
and regulatory authorities. P3-A Standards criteria help
reduce the cost of dies, tools and intended delivery
time that would result without uniform criteria.
• Users and specifiers of equipment used for the
production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
gain confidence in the compatibility of equipment
because experts on equipment design, pharmaceutical
production and other authorities helped develop each
P3-A Standard. They know the equipment meets basic
criteria for the intended application.
Complete details on the new P3-A Symbol and the
ap plication for authorization were announced to the trade
and details were placed on the 3-A SSI web site
Commercial Display of 3-A Symbol
3-A SSI released special guidance for marketers of
equipment built to 3-A Sanitary Standards on the proper
display of the 3-A Symbol. The guidance is intended to
provide practical advice for equipment marketers, such as
representatives and distributors and others, on the
promotion of 3-A Symbol licensed equipment.
With its wide recognition and acceptance, the 3-A Symbol is
often featured by marketers to help make customers aware
that such licensed equipment conforms to a 3-A Sanitary
Standard. The 3-A SSI guidance provides specific
suggestions on how the 3-A Symbol can be used to help
promote the sales of 3-A Symbol licensed equipment.
A copy of the guidance is available on the 3-A SSI web site
with information about the 3-A Symbol. 3-A SSI received
the cooperation of the Food Industry Suppliers Association
(FISA) to promote the information to equipment
representatives and distributors.

R
The Symbol of Assurance
For
Sanitary Design Integrity You Can Trust
3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc.
6888 Elm Street, Suite 2D
McLean, Virginia 22101 – 3829
USA
PH: 703.790.0295
FX: 703.761.6284
www.3-a.org
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