For the last 20 years, 3-A SSI and EHEDG have been working together to create a synergistic set of hygienic design, testing and implementation standards for process equipment.
No one ever said 3-A Sanitary Standards Inc. (3-A SSI) and the European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG) guidelines were supposed to be compatible or directly interchangeable in an “apples to apples” sense. In fact, they were conceived at different times, in different parts of the world and with different needs in mind. But, in an “apples to oranges” sense, the standards/guidelines are converging—actually, harmonizing is a better word—to benefit hygienic equipment makers and machine builders around the world, as well as food and beverage processors. This ongoing harmonization has the added potential of making equipment more food safe while possibly reducing design costs.