The company Robos has a certificate which attests the seawater resistance of the haz-mat labels produced and imprinted by Robos. The labeling products sustain for the period of three month after the submerging in seawater. The label materials and their imprints have been tested for the adhesion and readability under these harsh conditions. The test has been set up by a brand producer for labeling foils and performed by an UL-laboratory in the USA.
If there is a risk that the haz-mat labels will contact seawater or will be exposed to it for a longer period, then the certification complying to BS5609 section II is not sufficient. The content of the kegs, canisters and containers swimming in the sea or being washed ashore must be identified fast and secure to minimize the damage to humans and environment.
Only a certificate with attests the durability complying to the requirements of BS5609 section III includes the later readability of the imprint. To exclude the recourse and damage claims in the case of accident the certification of the labels complying to section III is essential.
The British Standard 5609 norm is accepted as the most comprehensive test protocol for imprinted labels in the labeling industry.
Moreover, the norm sets one of the highest standards for the durability of labels, as generally known. It regulates the specifications and testing methods to determine if the self-adhesive labels coated with adhesive withstand the salty seawater. The norm includes four categories and is divided into two technical sections: section II and section III.
Section II considers the basic material of the self-adhesive labels coated with adhesive – the upper/adhesive combination.
The label material will be submerged in seawater for three month to test the label function under these conditions.
Section III considers the finished imprinted self-adhesive labels with adhesive coating.
This applies also to the ink, printing ribbons and the color systems which are used to process the materials certified in compliance to section II. The imprinted labels will be tested for print effectivity, readability, imprint durability, adhesion resistance and weathering from light, salt spray and sand.
The BS 5609 norm and its roots are to be considered with the regard to two regulations: the “Globally Harmonised System” (GHS) by the United Nations and the “International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code” (IMDG) by the International Maritime Organization.
In accordance with the international implementation of GHS the labels must contain certain universal elements, which show warnings, safety cautions and pictograms. Only this ensures a proper handling of dangerous chemicals worldwide.
The IMGD Code is a global system developed by the International Maritime Organization to regulate the safe transportation of dangerous goods by sea. IMDG also requires that the labels on the dangerous goods must meet certain durability standards to withstand the harsh maritime conditions. IMDG especially demands that the labels must be intact after staying in the seawater for three months. BS5609 tests the material for these requirements and the code sets durability standards for the imprinted self-adhesive labels with adhesive coating, which are used for maritime transportation.
Call us or send us an email: raimund.schulz@robos.de
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