The standard was developed by the ESD Association for industry and the military, in support of an expressed need for a comprehensive electrostatic discharge (ESD) program design.

In response to the semiconductor industries continuing focus to improving overall equipment efficiency (OEE) and insure consistent yield performance the SEMI organization developed E78 Electrostatic Compatibility-Guide to Assess and Control Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and Electrostatic Attraction (ESA) for Equipment.