ASTM_D_5445_-_15.pdf

Designation:D544515Standard Practice forPictorial Markings for Handling of Goods1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5445;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S.Department of Defense.1.Scope1.1 This practice establishes a set of symbols to be used formarking of packages or containers to indicate special handlingand storage requirements.1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-ments2.2 ISO Standards:ISO 780 Pictorial Marking for Handling of Goods3ISO 7000 Registration of Markings and Symbols33.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsGeneral definitions for packaging and dis-tribution are found in Terminology D996.4.Significance and Use4.1 Packages are often marked with handling instructions inthe language of the country of origin.While this may safeguardthe consignment to some extent,it is of little value for goodsconsigned to,or through,countries using different languages,and of no value at all if people unloading the packages areilliterate.Pictorial symbols offer the most likely means ofconveying the consignors intention and their adoption will,therefore,undoubtedly reduce loss and damage through incor-rect handling.The use of pictorial symbols does not provideany guarantee of satisfactory handling;proper protective pack-aging is therefore of primary importance.5.Symbols5.1 Display of SymbolsSymbols may appear on a label orshould preferably be printed directly on the package.It isrecommended that printed symbols be painted,stenciled(seeNote 1),preprinted or otherwise reproduced,as specifiedherein.Affirmative symbols need not be framed by borderlines,but all negative symbols,that is,“DO NOT.,”shallhave borders with a slash mark across.NOTE1For stencilling,the symbols may be provided with bars ifrequired(see Appendix X1).5.2 Color of SymbolsThe preferred color for symbols isblack.If the color of the package is such that the symbol wouldnot show clearly,provide a panel of a suitable contrastingcolor,preferably white,as a background.Take care to avoid theuse of colors that could lead to confusion with the labeling ofdangerous goods.The color red may be used when increasedemphasis is required to focus attention of package handlers.5.3 Size of SymbolsThe suggested sizes of symbols shallbe 100,150,or 200 mm(4,6,or 8 in.).The size or shape of thepackage may,however,necessitate use of larger or smallersizes for the symbols,scaled proportionately.5.4 Number,Location,and Position of Symbols:5.4.1 Use only those pictorial markings required for thepackage.5.4.2 The number of identical symbols to be affixed to anypackage depends on its size and shape(see remarks column foreach symbol).5.4.3 When packages are formed into a unit load,locatesymbols so as to ensure they are visible(see Symbol 2).5.4.4 Give particular attention to the correct application ofthe marks.Faulty application may lead to misinterpretation.Apply Symbols 4,6,7,and 32 in their correct respectivepositions to convey their meanings clearly and fully.6.Handling Instructions6.1 Indicate handling instructions on packages by using thecorresponding symbols given in the remarks column of eachsymbol.Symbol 1 contains two messages.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packagingand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.11 on Terminology(defini-tions).Current edition approved Sept.1,2015.Published September 2015.Originallyapproved in 1993.Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D544511a.DOI:10.1520/D5445-15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available from American National Standards Institute,25 W.43rd St.,NewYork,NY 10017.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 6.2 If necessary the cautionary basic text may appear belowthe symbol in English or in the national language of the countryof destination,or both.However,to the extent possible,instructions should be written in languages commonly used ininternational trade.7.Keywords7.1 handling;packaging;pictorial markings;symbolsD5445 152 NOTE1See ISO symbols which are listed in the appendix.D5445 153 D5445 154 NOTE1See ISO symbols which are listed in the appendix.D5445