Overview
EN ISO 7010:2020/A5:2023 is the CEN-adopted Amendment 5 to ISO 7010 (Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs - Registered safety signs). Published March–June 2023, this amendment adds three registered safety signs to the ISO 7010 collection and updates the European implementation. The amendment was prepared by ISO/TC 145 and endorsed by CEN for mandatory national adoption by September 2023. All new signs are available on the ISO Online Browsing Platform.
Key topics and requirements
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New registered safety signs added
- M056 – Ventilate before and during entering
- Function: signify that a space (room, tank, container) must be ventilated before and during entry.
- Hazard: toxic gas concentration or oxygen depletion.
- Note: supplementary text or training is recommended because ISO 9186-1 comprehension test data are not available.
- M057 – Ensure continuous ventilation
- Function: signify that continuous ventilation must be ensured to prevent accumulation of hazardous emissions.
- Note: supplementary text recommended where manuals/training do not apply.
- M058 – Entry only with supervisor outside
- Function: signify that entry is permitted only when a supervisor is stationed outside with a phone to call for help.
- Hazard: occupant may be unable to exit or call for help after an accident.
- Note: supplementary text recommended unless supplemented by instructions or training.
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Colour and image guidance
- The amendment reiterates that electronic colour reproductions are not true colour matches; for colorimetric properties and matching guidance users should refer to ISO 3864-4.
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Conformity and publication
- This amendment is integrated into the European standard without modification (EN ISO 7010:2020/A5:2023) and national members must implement it.
Applications and who uses it
- Workplace safety and HSE professionals: incorporate signs into confined-space entry procedures, ventilation policies, permit-to-work systems.
- Safety sign designers and manufacturers: produce compliant pictograms and supplementary text signs following registered formats.
- Facility managers & plant operators: install appropriate signage at rooms, tanks, containers and update training and emergency procedures.
- Safety auditors and trainers: ensure signage comprehension and that supplementary instructions or training accompany these signs where ISO 9186-1 data are missing.
Related standards
- ISO 7010 (base standard for registered safety signs)
- ISO 3864-4 (colour matching and colourimetric guidance)
- ISO 9186-1 (symbol comprehension testing - test data for these signs are not available)
This amendment strengthens the ISO 7010 library for graphical symbols, safety colours, and registered safety signs, particularly for ventilation and confined-space safety, aiding consistent international implementation.