What are tactile warning labels?
Tactile warning labels are specifically designed with a raised profile that enables the visually impaired to quickly and easily identify potentially dangerous products such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
EN ISO 11683 and tactile labels
UK and EU law requires the use of raised warning triangle labels to be applied to any products that are classified as:
• toxic
• very toxic
• corrosive
• harmful
• extremely flammable
• highly flammable
These products can include e-cigarette and vaping e-liquids and oils, aerosols, medicines and cleaning products.
All tactile labels must be manufactured in accordance with EN ISO 11683, which is the standard regulation to help protect the blind and visually impaired.
Each label must contain a raised equilateral triangle that serves as the tactile warning.
Tactile warning labels can be applied over an existing printed label or integrated into an overall label design, which is the preferred option and can offer a better aesthetic for branding.
The standard size for the triangles is 9mm on either side, (which gives an overall area of 13x13mm) or 18mm for a label size of 20x20mm.
Smaller packages such as e-liquid bottles for e-cigarettes can have three raised dots on the points of the triangle instead of a fully raised triangle.
How do I know if my product needs a tactile warning label?
If you are a manufacturer or importer of any substance, chemical or mixture, it is obligatory to classify your products and add them to the Classification and Labelling (C&L) Inventory.
If you are further along the supply chain, you still have a duty of care to ensure that your products are correctly and accurately labelled. The manufacturer or importer can confirm for you (if they can’t, it would be a significant concern).
If you are unsure whether your product needs a tactile warning label or not, you can also check with trading standards or get in touch with one of the experts here at SmartSource, who will be happy to help.