TS ISO 3864-2

TS ISO 3864-2 is the second part of the graphical-symbols and safety-colours family, focusing on the design of product safety labels. It sets out additional design principles for labels used on products so that a hazard is clearly signalled and the way to avoid that hazard is conveyed at the point of use.

In practical terms, this standard extends the general safety-sign design approach of ISO 3864-1 into the product-label context. The key design challenge is not only to attract attention, but also to make the nature of the hazard and the avoidance message quickly understandable. Colour, symbol choice, shape and layout therefore work together as a single visual communication system.

What product safety labels are meant to do

In general technical use, product safety labels are applied to manufactured goods offered for sale in the ordinary course of commerce, including consumer products and industrial equipment. Their purpose is to warn users about a specific hazard and to support the behaviour needed to avoid it. Using graphical symbols helps reduce language dependence and improves recognition across different operating environments.

What this part distinguishes

• It addresses design principles for safety labels intended for products.
• It adds to the broader design framework of ISO 3864-1.
• It is concerned with both hazard indication and hazard-avoidance communication.
• It applies to manufactured items placed on the market, broadly understood as products offered for sale in commerce.