EHEDG3A

EHEDG3A is a term used in some contexts to indicate that an item of equipment or its design aims to satisfy both EHEDG hygienic design guidelines and 3-A Sanitary Standards. It is not an officially published standard by the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) or by 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. Consequently, there is no formal EHEDG3A certification pathway, and the use of the term typically reflects a manufacturer’s intention rather than a certified status.

EHEDG is a European non-profit organization that develops guidelines for hygienic engineering and design of equipment used in the processing and packaging of food and beverages. Its guidelines cover aspects such as surface finish, crevice avoidance, weld integrity, drainage, accessibility for cleaning, and validated cleanability. 3-A Sanitary Standards are US-based standards that define sanitary design requirements to permit cleanability and safe operation in dairy, beverage, and food processing, and are enforced through certification programs by 3-A SSI.

In practice, products labeled EHEDG3A may indicate that their design seeks compliance with both sets of guidance, and some manufacturers pursue dual or parallel certification routes. Buyers should verify the actual status, since dual labeling can be marketing-driven. Certification bodies or independent inspectors may issue EHEDG certificates and 3-A SSI certificates separately, and a product may bear one or both marks if compliance has been demonstrated.

For procurement and regulatory affairs, EHEDG3A signals intent toward harmonized hygienic design but does not in itself confer a legally recognized standard. The reliability of such labeling depends on documentation accompanying the product, including test reports, certificates, and the scope of the audits performed.