What is the UV Light - What is UV light??

UV Ultraviolet light is a form of electromagnetic radiation It has a wavelength shorter than that of visible light which makes it invisible to the naked eye although it can be detected via its effects on various substances It is named ultraviolet beyond violet because it is located just beyond violet on the electromagnetic spectrum Ultraviolet radiation has the ability to alter chemical bonds in molecules which can cause chemical reactions and it also causes many substances to fluoresce or glow Common effects of exposure to UV light include the degradation of polymers pigments and dyes UV radiation degrades the chain structure of polymers which can cause a loss of strength and can result in discolouration and cracking It is also absorbed by many pigments and dyes which can cause them to change colour UV light is found naturally in sunlight and is also emitted by man-made sources including tanning booths black lights curing lamps mercury lamps halogen lights discharge lamps fluorescent and incandescent lights electric arcs used in welders and plasma torches and UV lasers

Glossary

BS5609 - What does BS5609 mean?

Definition of BS5609:

British Standard BS5609 defines minimum standards of durability for printed self adhesive labels used in marine environments. It is also known as the Marine Immersion Label Testing Standard.

BS5609 was designed to provide a standard for labels used to identify dangerous goods (especially chemicals) that are transported by sea. It is vital that these labels remain stuck in place, in one piece, and legible so that dangerous goods can always be identified, even if they fall overboard and are immersed in sea water.

Marine environments are challenging for adhesive labels because they involve exposure to salt water, abrasive materials (like sand, rocks, and debris), UV light, and extreme temperatures. BS5609 determines if printed labels can withstand these elements and are therefore suitable for use in marine environments.

There are two technical sections to the BS5609 standard – Section 2 and Section 3.

Section 2 outlines criteria for blank labels. It applies to all the materials used to make a label, including the face material, adhesive, and any additional coatings. If a blank label meets these criteria, it is certified as BS5609, Part 2 compliant.

Section 2 tests a label’s durability, including its dimensional stability, tensile strength, and adhesive strength. Essentially, it determines if a label will remain fully intact and firmly stuck in place in marine environments.

Section 3 outlines criteria for printed labels. It applies to the label materials, ink or toner, and printer used to produce a printed label. For a printed label to be BS5609, Part 3 compliant, it must be printed using the same combination of label materials, ink or toner, and printer used during testing.

Section 3 tests a printed label’s durability, including its print key effectiveness (whether print stays on the label), abrasion resistance (whether print is damaged by abrasive materials like sand), print permanence (whether print fades or runs – i.e. has colour fastness), and legibility (whether print can be read and how easy it is to read). Essentially, it determines if the print will remain fully in place and legible in marine environments.

The BS5609 standard involves rigorous testing, including exposure to artificial weathering (involving UV light, salt spray, and sand), temperature cycling, and immersion in sea water for three months.

Set by the British Standards Institution (BSI), BS5609 is internationally recognised as the most intensive testing protocol for printed self adhesive labels and one of the highest standards for label durability.

It is commonly used as part of certification for the United Nation’s Globally Harmonised System (GHS) and the International Maritime Organisation’s International Maritime Dangerous Goods code (IMDG).

The GHS provides criteria for labelling chemical containers. It allows hazard information and safety precautions to be communicated through standardised pictograms, signal words, statements, and identifiers that are recognised worldwide.

The IMDG code is a global system that controls how packages of dangerous goods are transported across maritime environments.

At Label Planet, we supply various waterproof labels that are BS5609 certified. All of these labels meet Part 2 of BS5609, which means that the labels themselves are suitable for marine environments. We only supply blank labels, which means that customers who require fully compliant labels will need to source a printer and toner or inks that are BS5609, Part 3 compliant.

Our marine labels include MWP (matt white polyester for laser printers), MWPE (matt white polyethylene for laser and inkjet printers), MWPO (matt white polyolefin for laser printers), and MWPP (matt white polypropylene for inkjet printers).

Here is the Harvard-style citation to use if you would like to reference this definition of the term BS5609:
Label Planet (2025) What is BS5609 definition | Labelplanet. Available at: https://www.labelplanet.co.uk/glossary/bs5609/ (Accessed: January 1, 2025).

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