UL Performance Materials, a division of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), has issued its first “Marine Use” Marking & Labeling certification to Avery Dennison, a supplier of labeling materials. Label and label materials covered under this certification program are intended to be used to durably mark dangerous and hazardous goods, such as chemical containers or drums, for marine transport in international waters.

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code are internationally accepted codes that address the safe transportation or shipment of dangerous goods or hazardous materials by water on vessel. Under these codes, it is a requirement that packaging containing dangerous goods shall be identifiable and withstand immersion in the sea for three months. British Standard (BS) 5609:1986 “Specification for printed pressure sensitive, adhesive-coated labels for marine use, including requirements for label base material” is the defacto standard used by the labeling industry to show compliance to the IMDG code requirements. It also evaluates label materials (under Section 2) and printing (under Section 3) for “durability of markings.”

According to Avery Dennison, it is the first company to have its products certified by UL to Marking & Labeling Systems Marine Use (PGDT2), under UL’s Recognized Component Program, in accordance with the BS 5609:1986 standard (Section 2: base material and section 3: printed labels). UL certified materials that comply with the above standard are authorized to bear UL’s Recognized Component Mark and the statement “Certified to BS 5609.” The UL certification can be found here PGDT2.MH61182.

“We are pleased to continue our close working relationship with UL,” says Mark Pickner, regional segment director, Durables, Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials – North America. “This recognition, in conjunction with our UL-recognized North American DAP lab and United Kingdom water immersion testing facility, allows us to address the BS 5609:1986 Section 2 and 3 certification needs of our converters and their end users while carrying the trusted mark of UL.”

“Our Recognized Component certification program enables label material manufacturers and label converters to substantiate their claims with UL’s trusted third-party certification,” adds Todd Denison, VP and GM of Performance Materials. “This not only helps manufacturers differentiate their product from other competitors, but also it increase confidence and peace of mind of end users on the product’s durability.”

For decades, UL has played an important role in the development of label requirements for Safety Certification under the marking and labeling program, which enables end users to pre-select certified labels that comply with their safety standards. This new “Marine Use” program builds on UL’s Marking & Labeling expertise to serve the evolving needs of the label industry.