Packages of products containing dangerous substance or mixture must be labeled properly before being placed on the market. If substances or mixtures are offered to the general public, and these substances or mixtures are classified as hazardous, then tactile warning of danger must also be affixed to their packaging according to the regulations of European Union.
In general, a tactile warning symbol must be used for substances or mixtures classified as with acute toxicity, skin corrosion, germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitisation, aspiration hazard, or flammable gases, liquids and solids. Detailed information can be searched on the website of ECHA, an agency of the European Union.
The presence of a tactile warning of danger on packages enables blind or visually impaired persons to ascertain whether the packages contain a harmless or hazardous substance or mixture. When a tactile warning symbol is attached to the packaging, it can be felt by blind or visually impaired persons before accessing the contents. Once having been trained, blind or visually impaired persons can recognize the meaning and the positioning of the warning symbol on packages.
EN ISO 11683 is the standard that has specified the exact shape of the warning symbol and the exact location of it to be placed on the packaging for easy identification and no confusion. A standard tactile warning of danger is a raised equilateral triangle, with a normal length of side 18 mm and a reduced length 9 mm. The thickness of the triangle frame must range between 0,25 mm to 0,50 mm. However, in case the size of packaging is physically too small to apply the standard sizes, a three-dot symbol may be the substitute.
Shin Dorn offers self-adhesive tactile warning labels that conform to EN ISO 11683 standard. Labels are made of PVC plastic and pressure sensitive adhesive with strong adhesion, with raised equilateral triangles highly recognizable for blind or visually handicapped persons. Labels are colorless, suitable for applying on packaging with different backgrounds.
For more information, please feel free to contact Shin Dorn!