Labeling hazardous goods

When it comes to hazardous substances, the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) provides guidelines on, for example, label sizes. Warning symbols are black pictograms on a white background, framed by a red rhombus.

FDA, EEC, CLP, ADR, RID, DGR, RoHS, GbV ‒ such abbreviations sound like from a famous track by the German hip-hop band Die Fantastischen Vier, dated 1999. In fact, they indicate instructions in force, directed in particular to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Manufacture of such businesses includes liquid and powder mixtures, acids and alkalis, polymers and special plastics. These are accessed by consumers in small containers, bags or barrels. Many of such substances are potentially hazardous. Anyone who circulates them must label them clearly.

Two-color printing

cab printers of the XC series were the first to enable printing two colors on a label in one operation. Such printers provide an additional print head to print the spot color. In the matter of labeling hazardous goods, as a result, companies must no longer provide pre-printed labels on stock in large quantities. If only parts of a label need to be printed, the print head is lifted during label feed and the thermal transfer ribbon is stopped, resulting in less material consumption.

If labels have to be applied automatically to containers subsequent to two-color printing, the Hermes C system is first choice. Thanks to its modular design, it can be integrated to a plant wherever required. The print unit is extended by an applicator to transfer the printed labels. Labels can either be pressed or rolled onto surfaces. At this, the product may be in motion on a conveyor belt or at rest. In cases of a product or an operation changing, the applicator can be replaced.

Label quality

To identify hazardous substances, labels must provide the highest level of security and durability. Depending from an operating process and the manners goods are stored and transported, resiliencies to heat, cold, humidity, acids, fats and/or friction are required. The print must not smear even under highest stress. On containers, labels have to stick securely according to BS5609/3 standard even in rough conditions or in sea water. cab recommends labels made of polypropylene with GHS operations indoor or outdoor. Suitable thermal transfer ribbons in black and red are of resin quality.

Booklets

If informing on the use of pharmaceuticals and pesticides, sanitary products and cosmetics, paints and varnishes, booklets have proven their value. Access to information is particularly easy with booklets fixed to the outside of a container or its package. A protective film simplifies opening and resealing.

Flat printed booklet labels can be applied to a container, for example on its top or on a side, using a cab applicator. For perfect detection in material webs in motion, cab has developed the CEON sensor. It detects elevations or depressions of just 1/100 mm and thus enables highly accurate application. When operated on a cab IXOR labeling head, CEON is assembled as close as possible to its peel-off plate. There is low material stretching and the information carrier applied can be detected reliably.

On this topic:
-Two-color printing with maximum print widths 4“ or 6“: www.cab.de/en/xc
-Two-color print and apply system: www.cab.de/en/hermesc
-Hightech detection: www.cab.de/en/ceon
-Guide to label applications: www.cab.de/en/consumables

Presscontact: Guntram Stadelmann, cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG, Wilhelm-Schickard-Str. 14, 76131 Karlsruhe, Phone: +49 721 6626-285, Fax: +49 721 6626-249, Email: g.stadelmann@cab.de

About: cab is Europe’s biggest manufacturer of label printing systems. The range of devices includes solutions for marking individual components, units, products or packaging. Healthy global growth, pioneering technologies, products designed according to the needs of operators and the competent support of all customers are prior goals of the company. Employees at locations in six countries and more than 800 distribution and service partners around the globe are there to meet the targets. www.cab.de

This release was published on openPR.