Unfortunately, there isn't an easy "Yes" answer for this question. The ANSI Z535.4 standard is a voluntary standard, which means technically they are NOT a legal requirement. However, you could argue that they are mandatory. From a legal perspective, every product manufacturer has a legal "duty to warn" against the hazards that are associated with their product. You should be providing warnings to the installers, users, services, and disposers of your product - essentially anyone who could come in contact with it. Part of this legal requirement is to "meet or exceed" the current best practices. History tells us that the ANSI Z535 standards are viewed as the standards benchmark in "inadequate warnings" cases. State and federal courts have said that these standards represent the state of the art. So, while voluntary, they're really essential. Hopefully your legal council is advising the same.
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