News

Our news posts deliver information about current controversies and pressing social issues. We track the agenda of regulatory entities like OSHA, ANSI, NFPA, ADA and CDC, and analyze new proposals and applications for a vast array of different industries like construction, manufacturing, retail, and education. We share fresh finds and statistics regarding safety and security, current debates involving issues like smoking or gun laws, and new studies about health or job productivity.

SmartSign in the Press
Our signs are everywhere – including in the press. Find articles about our signs and other products.

Regulatory notes: California requires all single restrooms to be gender-neutral

California has recently changed its laws regarding restroom signage. Governor Jerry Brown signed a new law on September 29th that requires all single-toilet restrooms to be designated as gender-neutral. Effective March 1, 2017, the following will change: All single-user restrooms in government facilities, businesses, and other public accommodations are to be changed to all-gender facilities. […]

Regulatory notes: Massachusetts passes new transgender discrimination rules

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Massachusetts has recently changed its laws regarding gender identity discrimination. The law adds “gender identity” to the list of things you can’t discriminate against, just like race, color, or religion. The final regulations are going to come down the pike at the end of the month, and those will lay out the specific requirements of […]

How SCOTUS is affecting 2016 political signs

A recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) found that restrictions on yard signage based on the content of the signs is unconstitutional in that it inhibits free speech. This ruling is particularly relevant as we move into the depths of the 2016 presidential election. In the past, it has been […]

New York City to require all-gender bathrooms

A proposed bill in New York City would require businesses with single-occupancy bathrooms to replace existing, gender-focused signs with signs that designate all-gender bathrooms. Why does this matter? For everyone’s sake, the new legislation would mean that you no longer have to wait in an endless line for the bathroom intended for your identified gender when […]

Is corporate America closing the door on open offices?

It used to be the case that office layouts fell into one of two categories: Cubicle-land, à la Office Space, or Secretaries and underlings in the middle, bigwigs behind closed doors around the perimeter, à la Mad Men Then, in the mid-2000s, open offices became all the rage. Companies tore down walls and burned up cubicles […]

New bike lock doubles as bike alarm

You know those car alarms that drive you crazy in the middle of the night (or day), with their never-ending series of shrieks and beeps? Now there’s similar technology available for bikes! This is good news, though, for bike owners who want to deter thieves. Here’s how it works. A simple, U-shaped piece, the Noke […]

Stenciled lettering gets noticed

There’s a lot the average person probably doesn’t know about stencil typography. A few examples cited in this recent Co.Design article: It’s nothing new. In fact, it’s an ancient technique, dating back to the caveman days. Its use isn’t limited to any particular part of the world. It’s been found in prehistoric Chinese and Japanese […]