British Standard BS 5609 is a specification for printed pressure-sensitive, adhesive-coated labels for marine use, including requirements for label stock. It sets out various durability criteria including adhesive performance, print permanence and abrasion resistance, stipulating minimum standards for labels to be used in "Marine Environments”.
BS 5609 testing is used to demonstrate suitability for self-adhesive drum labels needing International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) certification. Testing includes a three month exposure of labelled test plates in sea water at mid-tide.
BS 5609 testing is used to demonstrate suitability for self-adhesive drum labels needing International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) certification. Testing includes a three month exposure of labelled test plates in sea water at mid-tide.
Why test labels to BS 5609?
- Internationally-recognized standard covering suitability of goods-labelling for marine shipment
- Widely referred to when specifying an extremely durable label
- Compliance is a requirement for self-adhesive drum labels needing certification with:
- Merchant Shipping Regulations
- International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG)
- Globally Harmonized System of Classification (GHS) standards.
What we can provide
Smithers offers a complete, independent BS 5609 testing service using specialist, purpose-built facilities. More importantly, our experts are here to guide you through the requirements and test results offering professional advice and recommendations.BS5609 testing explained
BS5609 comprises three parts. Section 2 details the performance requirements of the label stock material. Section 3 details the performance requirement of the printed facestock. Each combination of print and facestock needs to be tested for Section 3 certification.Section 2 of BS 5609 tests the label stock
Performance testing of the label stock is mandatory on both aluminium and HDPE test panels- Marine environment (3 months exposure at mid-tide using our test site on the south coast of England).
- Peel adhesion
- 48 hours after application
- After temperature cycling: 7 days at 60°C and 2 hours at 0°C
- After exposure to both artificial salt spray and artificial accelerated sunlight.
- Colour fastness after exposure to artificial salt spray and artificial accelerated sunlight
- Dimensional stability after exposure to artificial salt spray and accelerated sunlight
Section 3 of BS 5609 tests the printed label
- Print key effectiveness: resistance to print removal
- Abrasion resistance using a mixture of sand and artificial sea water
- Permanence of print: colour fastness after exposure to artificial salt spray and artificial accelerated sunlight
Annex K tests (for label stock already compliant with Section 2)
- Peel adhesion to a specific user-defined substrate*
- After 7 days
- After 7 days immersion in saline solution
- After temperature cycling: 7 days at 60°C and 2 hours at 0°C.