Founded in 1982, the ESD Association is a professional voluntary association dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of electrostatic discharge (ESD) avoidance. From fewer than 100 members, the Association has grown to more than 2,000 members FOUNDED IN 1982, THE ESD ASSOCIATION IS A PROFESSIONAL VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARCGE AVOIDANCE. FROM FEWER THAN 100 MEMBERS, THE ASSOCIATION HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN 2000 MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. FROM AN INITIAL EMPHASIS ON THE EFFECTS OF ESD ON ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, THE ASSOCIATION HAS BROADENED ITS HORIZONS TO INCLUDE AREAS SUCH AS TEXTILES, PLASTICS, WEB PROCESSING, CLEANROOMS, AND GRAPHIC ARTS. TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A CONTINUALLY CHANGING ENVIORONMENT, THE ASSOCIATION IS CHARTERED TO EXPAND ESD AWARENESS THROUGH STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, LOCAL CHAPTERS, PUBLICATIONS, TUTUORIAL, CERTIFICATIONS, AND SYMPOSIA.