ESD S20.20 Quality Management for Electrostatic Discharge
Receive a quote tailored to your needs
What is ESD S20.20?
ANSI/ESD S20.20 is an internationally recognized standard developed by the ESD Association (ESDA) to manage and control electrostatic discharge in environments where electronic components, assemblies, or equipment are handled.
The standard outlines specific requirements and control methods to prevent ESD damage, ensuring protection for devices with sensitivities as low as 100 volts (Class 1a) or below.
Widely adopted across industries such as electronics manufacturing, telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, ANSI/ESD S20.20 provides a structured framework for identifying, monitoring, and mitigating ESD risks. By implementing this standard, organizations can enhance product integrity, maintain high quality, and ensure reliability throughout the supply chain.
Why Choose Kiwa?
Kiwa provides independent, internationally recognized ESD S20.20 certification, supporting organizations in building trust through quality, safety, and performance.
Auditors with specialized expertise in electrostatic discharge and electronics guide clients efficiently through the certification process, drawing on both technical knowledge and practical industry experience. Certification with Kiwa can be seamlessly integrated with existing ISO 9001 or TL 9000 management systems, ensuring a unified approach to quality and compliance.
The partnership with Kiwa emphasizes ongoing improvement and transparent communication, helping organizations not only meet ESD S20.20 requirements but also strengthen their overall quality culture and operational reliability
Benefits of the Service
By achieving certification to ANSI/ESD S20.20, your organisation can:
Improve reliability and reduce failure rates
Increase operational efficiency
Enhance customer confidence
Meet global industry expectations
Reduce costs
Gain a competitive advantage
Support continual improvement
The certification process with Kiwa
Preparation
Assessment
Certification
Continuous Improvement
Why ESD control matters
An effective ESD control programme helps prevent these risks, creating measurable benefits in both quality and efficiency.
As electronic components become smaller and more complex, their sensitivity to ESD damage increases. Even minor discharges — invisible to the human eye — can lead to:
- Reduced product performance or premature failure.
- Costly rework and scrap.
- Increased customer returns or warranty claims.
- Delays in production and delivery.
ESD S20.20 and industry standards
ESD S20.20 is recognised as the successor to MIL-STD-1686 and is referenced by other quality frameworks, including TL 9000 for telecommunications and ISO 9001 for quality management.
Its alignment with these standards makes integration straightforward and efficient — allowing you to maintain compliance across multiple systems while strengthening process control and traceability.
What you need to know
The latest revision, ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021, introduces updated guidance and requires transition from the 2014 version by May 31, 2024.
The standard is especially valuable for organisations aiming to reduce product failures, improve reliability, and meet customer or contractual requirements.
It covers:
- Personnel grounding (e.g. wrist straps, footwear).
- ESD-safe workstations and environments.
- Packaging and handling procedures.
- Verification and auditing of ESD controls.
ESD S20.20 and industry standards
ESD S20.20 is recognised as the successor to MIL-STD-1686 and is referenced by other quality frameworks, including TL 9000 for telecommunications and ISO 9001 for quality management.
Its alignment with these standards makes integration straightforward and efficient — allowing you to maintain compliance across multiple systems while strengthening process control and traceability.
