16 Oct 2019 BS 5609-Compliant Labels
BS 5609-Compliant Labels: Durability and Quality Guaranteed
Our labels are tested to the requirements of BS 5609, which guarantees the resistance of the material and printing to abrasion.
Explore our Industrial & Logistics section to discover a huge range of labels suitable for application to drums and tanks, overprintable and durable labels for which BS 5609 compliance can be requested.
Industrial & Logistic Labels
Resistant to any conditions
Industrial labels, manufactured with high-quality materials such as those from 3M and robust inks, are resistant to temperature variations, the elements and oily surfaces. They contain vital information for guaranteeing the identification, traceability and safety of the product throughout their long service life.
What is British Standard 5609 certification?
BS (British Standard) 5609 is a fundamental requirement for labels used primarily in the transport of chemicals via sea.
This standard guarantees the durability and legibility of labels, reducing the risks to the environment and human health in the event that the drums are lost or damaged at sea.
BS 5609 certification is considered the most intensive testing protocol for printed labels.
It is possible to request BS 5609 compliance even when the goods are not intended to be shipped via sea, above all when labels featuring extra durability are required.
BS 5609 Technical Requirements for Labels
BS 5609 is recognised by the label industry as one of the strictest standards which guarantees durability. The BS 5609 standard is divided into four sections, two of which are technical in which the label specifications are indicated:
Materials and Adhesive – Refers to the material which the self-adhesive label is composed of, in particular the front/adhesive combination, requiring immersion in sea water for a period of three months followed by a performance assessment.
Printing and Legibility – Relates to the printed self-adhesive label, including the printing inks, the strips and the systems used on the materials. The legibility, print duration, resistance to abrasion, and degradation due to light, salt and sand exposure are evaluated.
GHS and IMDG: What Are They and Why Are They Important for the BS 5609 Standard?
The United Nation’s Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and the IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) code of the International Maritime Organization represent two key pillars for safety and regulation in the processing and transport of dangerous goods by sea. The BS 5609 standard establishes the durability criteria for self-adhesive labels with pressure-sensitive coating designed for marine environments. The BS 5609 certification tests comply with the durability requirements of the GHS and IMDG code.
GHS – Globally Harmonized System; simplifies labelling of chemical containers with pictograms and signal words. Reduces the risk of management errors and makes communication of hazard warnings more effective.
IMDG – A global system for the maritime transport of dangerous goods, and defines the requirements for packaging, movement of containers and stowage. A key aspect is the obligation for information on the label to remain identifiable after three months of immersion in sea water.