Overview
EN ISO 7010:2020/A2:2022 is an amendment to the widely adopted European standard for graphical symbols, safety colours, and safety signs. Issued by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), this amendment introduces new registered safety signs and updates guidance in the field of public safety communication. The goal is to ensure standardized and universally understood safety signage across workplaces, public spaces, and products throughout Europe and internationally. Clear, recognizable symbols are crucial for occupational safety, accident prevention, and effective public hazard communication.
Key Topics
- Registered Safety Signs: Introduction of five newly approved safety signs to address evolving safety needs and regulatory requirements.
- E064: First aid responder
- F017: Firefighters’ lift
- M055: Keep out of reach of children
- W071: Warning; Substance or mixture presenting a health hazard
- W072: Warning; Substance or mixture that can cause an environmental hazard
- Compliance and Harmonization: Ensures alignment with international practices, particularly the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
- Symbol Legibility and Comprehension: Guidance on supplementary text usage to enhance understanding, especially when symbols are new or untested for user comprehension.
- Safety Communication: Focus on minimizing hazards through clear visual messaging, supporting both verbal and nonverbal safety management strategies.
- Multilingual Applicability: The amendment is available in English, French, and German, supporting consistent safety communication across borders.
Applications
EN ISO 7010:2020/A2:2022 has significant practical value for organizations committed to health and safety. Areas of application include:
- Workplaces & Facilities: Factories, warehouses, offices, and construction sites benefit from the standardized visual language for first aid, fire safety, and hazardous substances.
- Public Information: Airports, shopping centres, schools, and other public venues improve hazard awareness and emergency response through visible, consistent signage.
- Chemical and Environmental Safety: Manufacturers and handlers of chemicals implement the W071 and W072 symbols to communicate health and environmental risks in line with GHS.
- Children’s Safety: The M055 symbol is applied on products and storage areas to prevent child access to dangerous items, supporting consumer safety standards.
- Emergency Preparedness: The F017 symbol ensures firefighters’ lifts are marked clearly for rescue teams and building occupants during emergencies.
Implementing these safety symbols as prescribed by the standard helps meet legal obligations, enhances workplace safety culture, and reduces the risk of accidents or misunderstandings caused by unclear signage.
Related Standards
Organizations and safety professionals should also reference the following standards to ensure robust safety sign implementation and compliance:
- EN ISO 7010:2020 - The parent standard detailing the full set of registered safety signs and core principles.
- ISO 3864-1, ISO 3864-4 - Standards specifying design principles for safety signs and guidance on colour matching.
- ISO 9186-1 - Procedures for testing symbol comprehension across different cultural groups.
- Globally Harmonized System (GHS) - For chemical hazard communication and labelling, relevant to W071 and W072 symbols.
Adopting EN ISO 7010:2020/A2:2022 ensures organizations remain up-to-date with the latest safety communication requirements, improving both regulatory compliance and public safety outcomes. For further information or to access the full set of symbols, consult the ISO Online Browsing Platform or your national standards body.