| There are different ESD control symbols, and it is important to know the difference. Reference: EN 61340-5-1, CLC/TR 61340-5-2 ESD User guide, and Symbol standard ANSI/ESD S8.1.  ESD Susceptibility Symbols | | 
ESD Protective Symbol |
Symbol artwork can be downloaded at no charge from the ESD Association www.ESDA.org website at https://www.esda.org/standards/factory/symbols/.
While both symbols have a reaching hand in a triangle, they are different symbols having very different meanings.
The ESD Susceptibility Symbol means that ESD precautions or controls need to be followed as the item is ESD susceptible or sensitive. Generally, this means that personnel should be grounded before handling, and the item should be handled on a grounded working surface. The ESD Susceptibility Symbol has a slash through the triangle.
The ESD Protective Symbol has no slash through the triangle, but has an arc over it. This symbol should be (or might be required) to be on EPA ESD protective products identifying a specialty product that has at least one ESD control property. This symbol is also called the ESD Packaging Symbol.
When To Use "The ESD Susceptibility Symbol should be used on assemblies and devices that have been identified as being sensitive to ESD events." Often this symbol will be on a label to close bags identifying that the contents are ESD susceptible, or on signs identifying an ESD protected area or workstation.
The ESD Protective Symbol may be used to identify items that possess at least one ESD control property: - Low Charging (formerly referred to as astatic or antistatic
- Resistance (Conductive or Static Dissipative) able to remove electrostatic charges when grounded
- Discharge Shielding
Colour The colour is optional, except "the color red shall not be used because it suggests a hazard to personnel." The preferred colour is a yellow hand and slash on a black triangle; if the ESD protective symbol, the arc should be black.
If a letter is under the triangle, it should identify the most important ESD control property:
| Discharge Shielding |  |
L = Low Charging, D = Static Dissipative, C = Conductive EPA = For use in the ESD protected area
ESD Common Ground Point Symbol and Earth Bonding Point
There is a newer and older symbol to identify where all ESD elements at an ESD workstation should be connected. In this case, the symbols are very different, but basically have the same meaning.
 EPB Earth Bonding Point | | 
ESD Common Ground Point |
The Earth Bonding Point Symbol has the earth ground symbol and concentric circles around the ground snap, plug, or jack, while the ESD Common Ground Point Symbol has concentric circles with thick circle around the ground snap, plug, or jack. See symbol examples. Both symbols should include text identification.
Colour The choice of colour is optional, except "the color red shall not be used because it suggests a hazard to personnel."
Information "The protection of ESDS [ESD sensitive item] is accomplished by providing a ground path to bring ESD protective materials and personnel to the same electrical potential. All conductor and dissipative items in the environment, including personnel, shall be bonded or electrically connected to a known ground or common connection point." [CLC/TR 61340-5-2:2008 User guide clause 4.4.1 Grounding/bonding systems Introduction]
"All EBP shall be marked or labelled." [EN 61340-5-1 1999 clause 4.4 Marking of EPA bonding points (EBP)]
"An easily accessible dedicated EBP [EPA ground bonding point] for the wrist strap shall be established adjacent to each working area, or working surface. A sufficient number of EBP shall be provided for operators and visitors." [EN 61340-5-1 1999 clause 5.3.3] |