Thought Leadership

BS 5609: Regulations for labeling

hazardous goods for marine transport
If a container of chemicals is recovered from the ocean, it is
critical those recovering it be able to see, read and understand
the label to identify the contents and take proper precautions
when dealing with them. To ensure safe handling of chemical
drums and barrels as they travel the globe, labels must
meet certain durability standards and certifications. BS 5609
certification is required by IMDG, GHS and Merchant Shipping
Regulations.

BS 5609 regulatory requirements

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
is a global system developed by the International Maritime
Organization to govern the safe transport of dangerous
goods by sea.
The IMDG classifies dangerous substances by their
properties to determine how they should be handled,
packaged, loaded, transported, unloaded and stored. With
a goal of minimizing environmental damage from chemical
containers lost or damaged at sea, the IMDG also requires the
labels of dangerous goods meet certain durability standards to
withstand the harsh conditions of marine transport.
Specifically, IMDG requires labels to have British Standard
BS 5609 certification, which establishes durability standards
for printed pressure-sensitive, adhesive-coated labels used in
marine environments. Then, if a chemical container washes
onto shore, its BS 5609-certified label will remain intact to
communicate critical information regarding how to handle the
contents.
Labels that meet BS 5609 standards also comply with
Merchant Shipping Regulation 1990 Statutory Instrument 1990
No. 2605, which requires shippers to use durable markings for
dangerous cargo that is transported by sea.

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With the international adoption of the Globally Harmonized
System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS),
labels are also required to contain certain universal elements
to communicate hazard warnings, safety precautions and
pictograms to ensure proper handling of dangerous chemicals
around the world. GHS standards require certain products
meet IMDG certification, part of which mandates that labels
comply with BS 5609 specifications.
BS 5609 testing
BS 5609 establishes specifications and test methods to
determine whether pressure-sensitive, adhesive-coated labels
will perform under marine conditions. The four-part standard
includes two technical sections.
• Section 2 covers the base material of the pressure-
sensitive, adhesive-coated label. The label stock material is
submerged in the English Channel for three months, testing
its dimensional stability, adhesion, resistance to weathering
from light and salt spray, thermal cycling and colorfastness.
• Section 3 covers the final printed pressure-sensitive,
adhesive-coated labels, including the printing inks,
ribbons and systems applied to materials that were
certified in Section 2. Printed labels are tested for print key
effectiveness, legibility, print permanence, resistance to
abrasion and weathering from light, salt spray and sand.
Both the base material and the printed label must pass
durability tests in each respective section in order for the
finished label to receive BS 5609 certification.
BS 5609 compliance for converters
Typically, the regulatory burden of Section 3 falls on label
converters, who are responsible for certifying the printing
systems, inks and ribbons printed on Section 2-certified
base materials. But with the U.S. deadline for GHS adoption
approaching in June 2015, chemical manufacturers and
distributors need an easy way to adopt the standards quickly.
To simplify the BS 5609 certification process for converters,
Avery Dennison now includes Section 3 certifications in its
drum label portfolio, in addition to Section 2-certified base
materials. By adopting Avery Dennison’s precertified label
system, both converters and end users can skip the time-
consuming hassle of conducting separate Section 2 and
Section 3 tests, as Avery Dennison’s portfolio equips converters
with a label system that has been tested and certified to meet
BS 5609 requirements.* >
Kevin Gofron
Business Development Manager
Durable Goods

*How a converter uses a label may impact its overall performance.

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All other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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