ANSI 2026 Regulations

What happened

On September 15th, 2026, ANSI approved the newest edition of ANSI/ISEA Z308.1, the American National Standard for Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits and Supplies. It replaces the 2021 edition, and compliance with the 2026 edition is required by March 15th, 2027.

ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 sets the minimum requirements for workplace first aid kits in the United States: what a compliant kit contains, how kits are classified and how they are labeled. If your first aid kits follow the ANSI standard, this page covers what changed and what to expect from First Aid Only.

• Approved: September 15th, 2026
• Compliance required by: March 15th, 2027 (six months after approval)
• First Aid Only shipments of 2026 compliant kits and refills: January 2027 or sooner

What this means for you

• All ANSI 2021 kits transition to 2026 kits. Shipments of 2026 compliant kits begin January 2027 or sooner.
• Updates happen with your normal ordering cycle. No action is needed on your end.
• Part numbers and UPCs are not changing. Keep ordering the same items the same way.
• New website images and content in early 2027. Product pages will reflect 2026 contents and labeling.

What's new in the 2026 edition

Class A and Class B kit classifications, container Types I to IV and the minimum fill quantities all carry over from 2021. The updates focus on four areas.

1. Bilingual first aid guide. The guide included in every kit must now be printed in both English and Spanish.
2. Stricter tourniquet criteria. Arterial tourniquets must stop blood flow within 90 seconds and hold for at least 15 minutes.
3. Updated item specifications. Refined requirements for select supplies, including scissors and hand sanitizer.
4. Expanded guidance. New recommendations on naloxone, anti-choking devices, bleeding control kits, mobile workers and training.

2021 vs 2026 at a glance

Area	ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021	ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026
First aid guide	Required in every kit, no language specified	Must be printed in English and Spanish, in clear, simple language with diagrams
Tourniquet	Required in Class B kits with a general performance description	Must achieve occlusion within 90 seconds and hold for at least 15 minutes, 1.5 in minimum width, effective on limbs 7 to 33 in, individually packaged. Guidance added on counterfeit tourniquets
Scissors	Autoclavable	At least 3.5 in long, blunt tip, capable of cutting clothing, medical professional quality
Hand sanitizer	Alcohol based	Water soluble and FDA compliant; spray containers acceptable
Kit selection	Based on workplace hazard assessment	Stronger guidance that kit class, quantity and placement follow the hazard assessment; basing kits solely on headcount is inadequate
Naloxone	Not addressed	All employers encouraged to make naloxone available, at least two nasal sprays in a clearly labeled kit near first aid supplies
Anti-choking devices	Not addressed	Recognized as a supplement when standard choking response is ineffective or cannot be performed
Bleeding control	Limited guidance within supplemental supplies	Dedicated guidance on bleeding control kits (chest seal, compression and hemostatic bandages, tourniquet, thermal blanket) ahead of a separate standard
Mobile workers	General statement on access to supplies	New guidance on hazard assessment, kit location, storage, inspection and restocking for vehicles and field crews
Training	Not addressed	Trained first aid and CPR personnel on every shift, with more trained people in higher risk environments
Labeling	References Z308.1-2021	Label references ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026 with the kit's Class and Type

ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026 required contents

To be labeled compliant with the 2026 standard, first aid kits must contain at least the following. Minimum quantities are unchanged from 2021.

Choosing the right kit

Class tells you what is inside the kit. Type tells you what the container is built for. Both appear on the label, and both should follow a workplace hazard assessment rather than headcount alone.

• Class A. A basic range of products for the most common workplace injuries: major and minor wounds, minor burns and eye injuries.
• Class B. A broader range and quantity of supplies for more populated, complex or high risk environments. Adds a splint, tourniquet, larger eyewash and more of everything.

• Type I, stationary indoor. Mounted in a fixed position where damage from the environment or rough handling is minimal. Most first aid cabinets are Type I.
• Type II, portable indoor. Carried between locations indoors, such as an office or manufacturing facility.
• Type III, portable indoor or outdoor. Mobile or sheltered outdoor use. Mountable with a water resistant seal.
• Type IV, portable rugged. Mobile industries and outdoor settings with rough handling. Mountable, waterproof and tested for corrosion, moisture and impact.

What to do now

Your First Aid Only kits update on their own. The standard also asks employers to look at a few things beyond the kit.

1. Revisit your hazard assessment. Match kit class, quantity and placement to the risks at each site, not the number of people.
2. Check the guide and tourniquet first. These are the two in-kit changes. Both are included in First Aid Only 2026 kits and refills.
3. Cover mobile and remote workers. Vehicles, job sites and field crews need kits too, inspected monthly or after each use.
4. Consider supplemental supplies. Naloxone (now required in some states), anti-choking devices and bleeding control kits based on your risks.
5. Confirm trained responders. First aid and CPR trained personnel available on every shift.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to replace my existing kits?
No. Updates happen with your normal ordering cycle. All First Aid Only ANSI 2021 kits transition to 2026 kits, with shipments beginning January 2027 or sooner.

Are part numbers or UPCs changing?
No. Every First Aid Only part number and UPC stays the same.

How will I know a kit is built to the 2026 standard?
The label will reference ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2026 along with the kit's Class and Type.

Is ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 mandatory?
It is a voluntary consensus standard. OSHA has not adopted it but references it as a source of guidance in Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.151.

Where can I get the full standard?
It is published by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) and available for purchase from ISEA.

Questions about the 2026 update?

First Aid Only is transitioning every ANSI kit and refill to the 2026 edition, with no change to part numbers, UPCs or how you order. Your sales representative can walk you through it, or contact our team.

ANSI/ISEA Z308.1 is a voluntary consensus standard. It has not been adopted by OSHA, but OSHA references it as a source of guidance in Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.151, which requires employers to make adequate first aid supplies readily available. Employers remain responsible for assessing their own workplace hazards and determining the class, type, quantity and placement of first aid kits and any supplemental supplies.

This page is a summary provided for informational purposes and does not replace the full standard, which is available for purchase from the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA).