Definition:
An Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is an organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and standards within a given jurisdiction. This is often a US term. The AHJ is a key entity to interface with early in projects.
In the U.S., and AHJ is often called simply an “Inspector.”
Key Points:
- AHJs may include regulatory agencies, insurance inspectors, or fire marshals.
- This is a different entity, with a different setup and authority, than a Notified Body (NoBo).
- A typical AHJ from a local city is likely to know nothing or very little about Functional Safety, PSM, RMP, or IEC 61511-1. In some of these cases, OSHA may act as the AHJ.
Example:
For a chemical plant, the local OSHA representative may act as the AHJ during a Process Safety Management (PSM) compliance audit.
See also: Notified Body (NoBo), Accreditation Body
Cited Source:
- NFPA 70:2023, National Electrical Code®, Article 100.