Seawater resistant labels with British standard BS 5609 certification

What does “seawater-resistant” mean when label material is being selected?

Requirements according to British Standard Section 2 (BS5609 Section 2)

“Seawater-proof”, “seawater-resistant” or “seawater-certified” may be used to describe labels that meet the stringent requirements of British Standard 5609 (BS5609 certification). This standard requires that the attached labels can be stored in seawater for three months without becoming detached from the substrate (British Standard Section 2).

Many dangerous goods require the use of seawater-proof product identification labels approved to British Standard BS5609. Only packaging and containers with certified seawater-proof labels may be transported by sea and air. Hazardous substances are safely labelled in this way.

Requirements according to British Standard Section 3 (BS5609 Section 3)

The British Standard Section 3 also defines the requirements for the legibility and abrasion resistance of the printed image under the influence of seawater. For saltwater resistant labels, it is important that the label material and the adhesive meet this standard and withstand salt water. However, the label printing system, the printer and the toner, ink and thermal transfer ribbon used must also meet the requirements for seawater suitability.

The use of seawater-resistant labels is not only important, it is legally required by the GHS regulation (Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals), particularly for identifying chemical and transport containers. Even if chemical containers are lost overboard or damaged at sea, the BS5609-certified, seawater-resistant label will remain intact and provide information about the container’s contents and hazardous substances by means of icons and printed text.

Adhesive with a wide range of usage scenarios: adheres securely to a wide variety of surfaces

Seawater-proof labels must adhere securely to a wide variety of containers such as drums and barrels, canisters, containers, IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers), FIBCs (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers, e.g. big bags), bottles and pallets.

The containers used are made of different materials such as metal, plastic, glass and wood. The surfaces are partly rough, uneven or curved. This creates different requirements for the adhesive properties of labels – and the adhesive must cover a very wide range of usage scenarios. This is ensured by a high adhesive application on the hazardous goods labels among other factors.

Added to this are requirements such as resistance against chemicals, dirt, grease and oil as well as durability. HERMA’s seawater-proof film labels with their wide temperature range can also safely withstand heat, moisture, cold and UV exposure.

The properties of labels and adhesives are also severely challenged during the filling process, and particularly in hot filling procedures: HERMA film labels made of PE laser material, polyester laser material, PE paperprint and PP paperprint material also pass the additional hot filling requirements with flying colours.