Traditionally, the U.S. military spearheaded the development of specific standards and specifications with regard to ESD control in the U.S. Today, however, U.S. military agencies are relying more on commercially developed standards. For example, the ESD Association completed the assignment from the Department of Defense to convert MIL-STD-1686 into a commercial standard called ANSI/ESD S20.20.

Per the NOTICE OF CANCELLATION issued January 12, 2021, MIL-STD-1686C, dated 25 October 1995, is hereby canceled. ANSI/ESD S20.20, “ESD Association Standard for the Development of an Electrostatic Discharge Control Program for Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies and Equipment (Excluding Electrically Initiated Explosive Devices),” supersedes MIL-STD-1686C.  Additionally, MIL-HDBK-263B, dated 31 July 1994, is hereby canceled. ESD TR20.20, “Handbook for the Development of an Electrostatic Discharge Control Program for the Protection of Electronic Parts, Assemblies and Equipment,” supersedes MIL-HDBK-263B.