ASTM D5445-03a

Standard Practice for Pictorial Markings for Handling of Goods

SCOPE
1.1 This practice establishes a set of symbols to be used for marking of packages or containers to indicate special handling and storage requirements.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Aug-2003
• ICS: 01.080.20 - Graphical symbols for use on specific equipment
• ICS: 55.020 - Packaging and distribution of goods in general
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.11 - Terminology (definitions)

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5445-03 - Standard Practice for Pictorial Markings for Handling of Goods
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D5445-05 - Standard Practice for Pictorial Markings for Handling of Goods
• Effective Date: 01-May-2005
• Referred By: ASTM D6804-19 - Standard Guide for Hand Hole Design in Corrugated Boxes
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D3951-18 - Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D5445–03a
Standard Practice for
1
Pictorial Markings for Handling of Goods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5445; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 5. Symbols
1.1 This practice establishes a set of symbols to be used for 5.1 Display of Symbols—Symbols may appear on a label or
marking of packages or containers to indicate special handling should preferably be printed directly on the package. It is
and storage requirements. recommended that printed symbols be painted, stenciled (see
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the Note 1), preprinted or otherwise reproduced, as specified
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the herein. Affirmative symbols need not be framed by border
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- lines, but all negative symbols, that is, “DO NOT . ,” shall
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- have borders with a slash mark across.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 1—For stencilling, the symbols may be provided with bars if
required (see Appendix X1).
2. Referenced Documents
5.2 Color of Symbols— The preferred color for symbols is
2.1 ASTM Standards:
black. If the color of the package is such that the symbol would
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
2 not show clearly, provide a panel of a suitable contrasting
ments
color,preferablywhite,asabackground.Takecaretoavoidthe
2.2 ISO Standards:
3 use of colors that could lead to confusion with the labeling of
ISO 780 Pictorial Marking for Handling of Goods
3 dangerous goods. The color red may be used when increased
ISO 7000 Registration of Markings and Symbols
emphasis is required to focus attention of package handlers.
5.3 Size of Symbols— The suggested sizes of symbols shall
3. Terminology
be 100, 150, or 200 mm (4, 6, or 8 in.).The size or shape of the
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and dis-
package may, however, necessitate use of larger or smaller
tribution are found in Terminology D 996.
sizes for the symbols, scaled proportionately.
4. Significance and Use 5.4 Number, Location, and Position of Symbols:
5.4.1 Use only those pictorial markings required for the
4.1 Packages are often marked with handling instructions in
package.
thelanguageofthecountryoforigin.Whilethismaysafeguard
5.4.2 The number of identical symbols to be affixed to any
the consignment to some extent, it is of little value for goods
package depends on its size and shape (see remarks column for
consigned to, or through, countries using different languages,
each symbol).
and of no value at all if people unloading the packages are
5.4.3 When packages are formed into a unit load, locate
illiterate. Pictorial symbols offer the most likely means of
symbols so as to ensure they are visible (see Symbol 2).
conveying the consignor’s intention and their adoption will,
5.4.4 Give particular attention to the correct application of
therefore, undoubtedly reduce loss and damage through incor-
the marks. Faulty application may lead to misinterpretation.
rect handling. The use of pictorial symbols does not provide
Apply Symbols 4, 6, 7, and 32 in their correct respective
any guarantee of satisfactory handling; proper protective pack-
positions to convey their meanings clearly and fully.
aging is therefore of primary importance.
6. Handling Instructions
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D10 on Packaging 6.1 Indicate handling instructions on packages by using the
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.11 on Terminology.
corresponding symbols given in the remarks column of each
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2003. Published October 2003. Originally
symbol. Symbol 1 contains two messages.
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D 5445 – 03.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., New
York, NY 10017.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D5445–03a
6.2 If necessary the cautionary basic text may appear below 7. Keywords
thesymbolinEnglishorinthenationallanguageofthecountry
7.1 handling; packaging; pictorial markings; symbols
of destination, or both. However, to the extent possible,
instructions should be written in languages commonly used in
international trade.
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