2026 NEC Updates: Major Changes to Arc Flash Labeling Requirements
- Herzig Engineering
- Oct 28
- 4 min read
The 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) brings some of the most impactful changes in recent history — especially for electrical safety and compliance. Among the most significant 2026 NEC updates are the new, mandatory arc flash labeling requirements, which now apply to nearly all commercial and industrial electrical equipment.
If your team is preparing for NEC 2026 changes, understanding these new requirements is critical to keeping your facility compliant, passing inspections, and protecting your workers.
What’s New in the 2026 NEC: Arc Flash Labeling Becomes Mandatory
In previous editions of the NEC, arc flash labeling was specified for limited situations, often for large service equipment rated 1000A or higher. That’s no longer the case.
Under NEC 2026 Section 110.16, renamed “Arc-Flash Hazard Marking,” the updated code requires permanent arc flash labels on any equipment that could be examined, serviced, or maintained while energized.
That means equipment such as:
Switchboards and switchgear
Enclosed panelboards and control panels
Meter socket enclosures
Motor control centers
If it can be worked on or examined live, it must have a compliant arc flash label.
These NEC 2026 changes effectively expand labeling to include almost every non-residential electrical system — from commercial offices and manufacturing plants to data centers, hospitals, and universities.
Learn more about how NFPA 70E and the NEC align in electrical safety at NFPA.org.
NEC 2026 Label Requirements: What Must Be on Each Label
The 2026 NEC updates specify exactly what information each arc flash label must include. Generic “Warning – Arc Flash Hazard” stickers are no longer acceptable. Frankly, it never was, but now the code has clarified this point.
Under NEC 110.16, each label must show:
Nominal system voltage
Arc flash boundary distance
Incident energy (cal/cm²) or required PPE level
Date of the arc flash assessment
Labels must also be durable and field-applied, per NEC 110.21(B).
The addition of the assessment date is especially important. It ensures companies stay compliant with NFPA 70E’s five-year arc flash study review/update requirement, promoting accountability and up-to-date hazard data.
For detailed information on conducting and maintaining your arc flash study, visit Herzig Engineering’s Arc Flash Studies.
How the 2026 NEC Updates Will Be Enforced
Because the NEC is adopted by nearly every U.S. state, the new labeling requirements will become enforceable wherever the 2026 NEC (or later editions) is adopted.
Enforcement will come from:
Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) – local or state electrical inspectors who verify compliance during installation and modification.
OSHA – While OSHA doesn’t directly enforce the NEC, it can cite employers under the General Duty Clause (29 CFR 1910.335) for failing to protect workers from known electrical hazards, including unlabeled arc flash risks.
In short, failure to comply with 2026 NEC changes could result in inspection delays, OSHA citations, or safety audit findings.
Read more about the link between OSHA and NEC enforcement at FacilitiesNet.
What These NEC 2026 Changes Mean for Your Facility
The expanded labeling requirement under NEC 2026 will impact virtually every non-residential facility in the U.S. Companies should prepare now to ensure compliance and avoid costly surprises.
Here’s what this means for your organization:
Arc flash compliance is now a code requirement. Passing inspections depends on having accurate, up-to-date arc flash labels.
Arc flash studies are essential. Labels must reflect current hazard assessments verified by a qualified Professional Engineer.
Safety programs must align. Workers should be trained to understand and act on the information in the new labels.
Re-labeling and updates will be ongoing. NEC 2026 makes the study date visible, reinforcing NFPA 70E’s five-year review cycle.
Herzig Engineering’s team of licensed Professional Engineers (P.E.s) and Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professionals (CESCPs) can help your organization achieve nationwide compliance through standardized programs, consistent labeling, and accurate studies.
Learn about our Corporate Electrical Safety Programs.
The Significance of the 2026 NEC Updates
The NEC 2026 changes represent a major milestone in electrical safety. For decades, NFPA 70E has set the standard for arc flash labeling as a best practice — but the NEC now codifies those requirements into enforceable law.
This means electrical safety is no longer just an internal policy or training focus. It’s now integrated directly into the installation and inspection process — bridging the gap between engineering design, compliance, and worker protection.
In other words: Arc flash labels won’t just warn — they’ll inform.
They’ll tell workers exactly what voltage, boundaries, and PPE apply — before they ever touch energized equipment.
Prepare Now for the 2026 National Electrical Code
Don’t wait for the adoption deadline. Many jurisdictions will begin adopting the 2026 National Electrical Code as early as late 2025, with enforcement following soon after.
To stay ahead of NEC 2026 updates:
Schedule your next Arc Flash Study
Review your existing labeling and signage
Update your electrical safety training
Partner with a qualified engineering firm to ensure code compliance
Partner with Herzig Engineering
As an industry leader since 2000, Herzig Engineering provides turnkey Arc Flash Studies, Label Application, Mitigation Reports, and Corporate Safety Programs — all verified by in-house P.E.s licensed nationwide.
Let’s make sure your team and your equipment are ready for the 2026 NEC changes — and that every worker goes home safely.
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